Why Are Coaches Paid So Much?
A Controversial Hire
College football coaches are getting paid a lot of money. Lane Kiffin is the latest example. He just got a big job at Louisiana State University (LSU). The school will pay him about $91 million over seven years. That's a lot of money! Some people think this is a problem. They say it shows what's wrong with college sports.
Kiffin's History in the Southeast Conference
Kiffin is not new to the Southeast Conference. He has worked at four schools in this conference:
- University of Alabama: Assistant coach
- University of Tennessee: Coached for one season
- University of Southern California: Left after Tennessee
- University of Mississippi: Fans were unhappy with his departure
Some fans in Tennessee and Mississippi were not happy with him. They say he left the schools in a bad way. They think he is not a good leader. They also think he is not honest.
The Debate Over Coach Salaries
LSU is paying Kiffin a lot of money. Some people think this is not fair. They say the school should spend money on other things. Like making college more affordable. A recent study shows that Louisiana is not doing well in this area. It ranks 38th out of 50 states. This means it's hard for students to pay for college in Louisiana.
The study also shows that only 15% of schools in Louisiana are affordable. This is a problem because more jobs will need a college degree in the future. Some people think the school should spend money on helping students. Instead of paying coaches so much money.
Kiffin's Record and Future
Kiffin has never won a big title. But he is being paid like a king. Some people think he should win like his mentor, Nick Saban. Saban stayed at Alabama for a long time. He helped the school a lot. But Kiffin might not stay at LSU for long. He might leave for a better job in the future.
