Paterno's Salary Disclosed

Joe Paterno's salary as Penn State football coach was released today following the loss of a court case challenging its secrecy.  We now know why PSU fought so hard to keep this information secret:  JoePa earns a pitifully small salary for what he does.  Last year Paterno made $490,638 and this year will go over $500,000.

For head football coaches of his tenure, reputation, success and integrity this is a paltry sum.  I'm actually embarrassed by the amount.  Do you mean that after fifty some years of dedication to Penn State, that incredible string of non losing seasons, all the victories, all the glory, all the young men he molded, all he has done for the University he hasn't even made over half a mill yet?  This is a disgrace.  Look at what other top coaches earn and we aren't even in the ballpark (sorry for the bad pun).

Comments

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

One thing is obvious then. He has a damn good financial adviser.

[Fran the pipefitting man]

I wonder how much Jonas Salk was paid per year to develop the polio vaccine?

[John Morgan]

Polio, schmolio, how many national championships did he win???

Seriously, your's is an excellent question. Why do we value our entertainers and sports figures more than our teachers, scientists and researchers?

Paterno's salary, compared with comparable top tier coaches, is quite conservative, much like the man. In a time when Lou Saban gets $4 million a year JoePa's contract is quite meager.

[dennis g.]

Paterno may not be in a "classroom," but he is a teacher by any definition of the word. And while I don't always agree with his philosophies (in either football or politics) he deserves every cent he gets.
Now if we could only get our priorities in order... other teachers, as well as researchers, engineers, etc. would be a top of the money list. And the entertainers, sports figures, and more than a few CEO's might be mired somewhere in the middle.
dg