FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[BayernFan]

I can't imagine any DIII football coach, or any DIII coach in any sport for that matter, making anything close to 350K.  Not even close.  Problem is that some folks want to equate what they see as salaries in even lower-level DI programs with what it's possible to make in DIII.  Where does that big number come from?

A parent of a key player told me at the UW-W game.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I can't imagine any DIII football coach, or any DIII coach in any sport for that matter, making anything close to 350K.  Not even close.  Problem is that some folks want to equate what they see as salaries in even lower-level DI programs with what it's possible to make in DIII.  Where does that big number come from?

A parent of a player told me at the UW-W game.

Sounds like a disgruntled parent who just wrote a tuition check!

[BayernFan]

I can't imagine any DIII football coach, or any DIII coach in any sport for that matter, making anything close to 350K.  Not even close.  Problem is that some folks want to equate what they see as salaries in even lower-level DI programs with what it's possible to make in DIII.  Where does that big number come from?

A parent of a player told me at the UW-W game.

Sounds like a disgruntled parent who just wrote a tuition check!

We were talking before the game and I mentioned that seven years ago the UW-W game was Creighton's last game and wondered if this would be Raeburn's last game as Wabash coach as well.  The parent said that Raeburn makes too much money to leave.  I asked how much and the parent said $350k.

[Li'l Giant]

We were talking before the game and I mentioned that seven years ago the UW-W game was Creighton's last game and wondered if this would be Raeburn's last game as Wabash coach as well.  The parent said that Raeburn makes too much money to leave.  I asked how much and the parent said $350k.

Not saying that didn't happen. That player's parent is the one I don't believe.

In December of this past year the Indianapolis Star had an article in which it claimed that in 2012 then President Pat White made $265k and some change.

I find it hard to believe that Wabash would pay ER nearly $100k more than the president of the college. This isn't the SEC where coordinators make more then the president of the institution.

Honestly, as an alumnus I would be kind of upset if that were the case, as much as I want ER to stick around. It's just an insane amount of money for a D3 football coach.

[BayernFan]

We were talking before the game and I mentioned that seven years ago the UW-W game was Creighton's last game and wondered if this would be Raeburn's last game as Wabash coach as well.  The parent said that Raeburn makes too much money to leave.  I asked how much and the parent said $350k.

Not saying that didn't happen. That player's parent is the one I don't believe.

In December of this past year the Indianapolis Star had an article in which it claimed that in 2012 then President Pat White made $265k and some change.

I find it hard to believe that Wabash would pay ER nearly $100k more than the president of the college. This isn't the SEC where coordinators make more then the president of the institution.

Honestly, as an alumnus I would be kind of upset if that were the case, as much as I want ER to stick around. It's just an insane amount of money for a D3 football coach.

Lots of schools, other than the SEC, pay the football coach TONS more than the President.  I would bet well over half.  Football drives the money train in all divisions, or at least can.  In most states, the state university's football or basketball coach is the highest paid state employee.   If a place like Wabash, which thrives on alumni contributions, needs to pay 350 to keep a coach whose teams will win 90% of games, be consistently in the Top ten every year and get to the playoffs regularly, then I would imagine it is money well spent.

The better football does, the more willing alums are to happily give more $$$ to the College.

I am not inclined to reflexively disbelieve what that player's parent told me.  Wabash has the money.  Easily.  And more.

[Li'l Giant]

We were talking before the game and I mentioned that seven years ago the UW-W game was Creighton's last game and wondered if this would be Raeburn's last game as Wabash coach as well.  The parent said that Raeburn makes too much money to leave.  I asked how much and the parent said $350k.

Not saying that didn't happen. That player's parent is the one I don't believe.

In December of this past year the Indianapolis Star had an article in which it claimed that in 2012 then President Pat White made $265k and some change.

I find it hard to believe that Wabash would pay ER nearly $100k more than the president of the college. This isn't the SEC where coordinators make more then the president of the institution.

Honestly, as an alumnus I would be kind of upset if that were the case, as much as I want ER to stick around. It's just an insane amount of money for a D3 football coach.

Lots of schools, other than the SEC, pay the football coach TONS more than the President.  I would bet well over half.  Football drives the money train in all divisions, or at least can.  In most states, the state university's football or basketball coach is the highest paid state employee.   If a place like Wabash, which thrives on alumni contributions, needs to pay 350 to keep a coach whose teams will win 90% of games, be consistently in the Top ten every year and get to the playoffs regularly, then I would imagine it is money well spent.

The better football does, the more willing alums are to happily give more $$$ to the College.

I am not inclined to reflexively disbelieve what that player's parent told me.  Wabash has the money.  Easily.  And more.

Most of those other schools are also generating revenue from athletics that Wabash is not. Those other schools get conference TV money, third tier rights, etc. That doesn't happen for Wabash. Those bad ass football/soccer/hoops broadcasts are FREE. They don't even charge a token $9.95. That doesn't really justify the expense.

Yes, Wabash alumni have shown themselves to be generous. But the money most of us donate doesn't depend on ER's winning percentage. Wabash has spent much more effort marketing giving from a general standpoint than by focusing on athletics.

That kind of salary for a single coach, no matter how successful, would represent an unfathomable departure from Wabash's athletic philosophy.

And, while you know the parent of whom you speak (and can judge the credibility thereof), I (and the rest of the board) do not. No offense to you or that parent but until I see a W2 I simply do not believe that figure.

Final thought before bed: We know that Leipold was making $100k. I'm sure a chance at winning Walnut & Bronze is great but is anyone even going to contemplate taking that kind of pay cut? Because I doubt the state of Wisconsin is going to match Wabash's $350k. If the difference is that great why even waste the time it takes to apply and do the phone interview? If he's making that much above market why would he even try to hustle to get more from Wabash when they would know he's obviously bluffing?

None of it makes sense.

[Pat Coleman]

If a place like Wabash, which thrives on alumni contributions, needs to pay 350 to keep a coach whose teams will win 90% of games, be consistently in the Top ten every year and get to the playoffs regularly, then I would imagine it is money well spent.

Add me to the long list of people who find this figure completely lacking in credibility.

[Dr. Acula]

If Raeburn was making 350k he'd be listed on the College's tax return (you have to report the highest compensated employees).  At 350k he'd be THE highest compensated.  He is not listed on their most recent return.  For reference, LK is listed on Mount's most recent tax return which was prepared by the same CPA firm.

[SaintsFAN]

I don't think looking for a coach in February or March would negatively impact Wabash as much as it would other schools.  The experience at Wabash and the academics make Wabash a different destination for these kids.  That said, it would generate alot of interest and create a real domino effect. 

Having been through something similar prior to my senior season in college (we hired Dean Paul in February after having our HC resign in December), I can say Wabash's current players would need someone like BJ Hammer to hold them accountable for their workouts and keep everyone on the same team.  We had an alum as DC who did the same with us - he literally kept the program running while we were without a head man.  Recruiting obviously suffered, but again, I feel Wabash wouldn't have as much trouble with that as we did. 

In the end, it was worth it.. we went from 3-7 in 1998 to 7-3 in 1999.

[sigma one]

Please, that parent was just wrong.  When I was closer to the program, I heard all kinds of wild thinking from players about what the HC made.  They actually had no clue.  Absent perhaps the president, no one at Wabash--Deans, etc.--makes anything close to that kind of money.
     A student once told me that he it on good authority that most faculty at Wabash made at least 100K.  They only wish . . .
     ER is very well paid for a DIII HC.  But not like that; not close.  In general, Wabash full-time coaches are paid competitive salaries v. coaches  at other DIII schools.  But no one is getting rich.     

[BayernFan]

If Raeburn was making 350k he'd be listed on the College's tax return (you have to report the highest compensated employees).  At 350k he'd be THE highest compensated.  He is not listed on their most recent return.  For reference, LK is listed on Mount's most recent tax return which was prepared by the same CPA firm.

Who is?

[wally_wabash]

If Raeburn was making 350k he'd be listed on the College's tax return (you have to report the highest compensated employees).  At 350k he'd be THE highest compensated.  He is not listed on their most recent return.  For reference, LK is listed on Mount's most recent tax return which was prepared by the same CPA firm.

Who is?

It's going to be the president. 

A lot of this can be ferreted out through public tax forms like Dr. A said, but this talk about who makes what and all of the financial voyeurism going on here is getting a little bit weird. 

[Bishopleftiesdad]

My son was recruited heavily by Wabash for Baseball. At one point it was his number one choice. So I am familiar with the recruiting for Baseball. Because my son had the grades one of the landmarks was the Honor Scholarship weekend that Wabash has every year, for students to come in and compete (maybe not the right word) for scholarship money. I believe that happens in April. If Raeburn leaves, does it lower the number of Football Recruits competing for Scholarships this weekend?

[BashDad]

A parent of a key player told me at the UW-W game.

I love the "key" modifier as if that mitigates the blatant rumor mongering of a parent in the stands.

All of this is gross.

[Li'l Giant]

If Raeburn was making 350k he'd be listed on the College's tax return (you have to report the highest compensated employees).  At 350k he'd be THE highest compensated.  He is not listed on their most recent return.  For reference, LK is listed on Mount's most recent tax return which was prepared by the same CPA firm.

Who is?

President, Deans, handful of professors.

A lot of this can be ferreted out through public tax forms like Dr. A said, but this talk about who makes what and all of the financial voyeurism going on here is getting a little bit weird. 

While the whole "ER makes $350k" thing is kind of weird, as an alumnus and stakeholder in the College the tax return is kind of interesting reading.