Big coaching salaries slammed

RENO -- University of Nevada, Reno President Milton Glick has criticized the rising salaries of college coaches, saying the trend is troubling at a time when state higher education funds have shrunk.

Glick's criticism comes three weeks after Kentucky made John Calipari the nation's highest-paid coach in college basketball, awarding him an eight-year, $31.65 million deal.

"That's $4 million a year. It's wrong," Glick told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

"You have to keep costs in perspective. This arms race in intercollegiate athletics is out of control. I think something needs to be done. I think it will destroy itself if these costs keep escalating," he added.

Glick said he would never approve a million-dollar salary for one of his school's coaches, but that's where the trend is heading.

Mark Fox had been the school's highest-paid coach at $545,909 until he left to become Georgia's basketball coach early this month.

Glick also expressed concern over Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons' proposed budget calling for a 50 percent cut in his school's funding.

The proposal calls for a major cut in academics while leaving intercollegiate athletics virtually intact.

"It would be unconscionable to make deep cuts in academic programs and leave athletics intact," Glick said. "Athletic programs are valuable and important but not as valuable as getting students a quality education.

"I couldn't in clear conscience face students, faculty and staff if I left athletics alone and cut the core out of everything else."

Glick, who earns $416,423 annually, has proposed restructuring coaching contracts, reducing some sports scholarships and possibly eliminating two athletic programs.

Nevada athletic director Cary Groth agreed the department should share the pain of state budget woes.

She declined to identify the two programs that could be eliminated.