Post by aztec on Jan 11, 2006 21:53:30 GMT -6
No wonder Texas is better...
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High school football coaches cashing in
10:31 PM CST on Monday, January 9, 2006
By MATT JACOB / The Dallas Morning News
For proof that football is the undisputed king of Texas high school sports, you need to look no further than what area school districts are paying head coaches.
Their average salary is $82,179.16, and nearly half are paid at least twice what an average teacher makes.
The Dallas Morning News asked 37 districts for the total compensation paid to 95 Class 5A and 4A head football coaches for the 2005-06 academic year. Average teacher salaries were obtained from the Texas Education Agency for 2004-05, the most recent data available.
High Schools
Tell Us: What are your thoughts on what HS football coaches in Texas are paid?
Graphic: Football coaches' salaries (.pdf)
More high school football
An analysis of the numbers led to some surprising findings. For instance, Southlake Carroll coach Todd Dodge, whose teams are 63-1 the last four years with three Class 5A state titles and two seasons that ended with mythical national championships, ranks No. 22 at $90,010.
Some other findings:
• Fourteen of the 20 highest-paid coaches missed the playoffs.
• Three coaches – Sam Harrell of Ennis, Highland Park's Randy Allen and Gary Childress of Carrollton Creekview – earned more than $100,000.
• Dallas ISD lags in coaches' pay. Two of the Dallas ISD's 19 head football coaches rank among the 40 highest-paid coaches. Fifteen of the 19 lowest-paid coaches are from the DISD.
• Coaches' pay far outpaces that of teachers. The salaries of 41 of the 95 coaches are at least twice the average salary of teachers in their district.
Data Analysis
Fourteen of the 20 highest-paid coaches did not make the playoffs this season. Seven of the 20 lowest-paid coaches did make the playoffs.
Lake Dallas' Mike Young was the lowest-paid coach who made the playoffs.
Fifteen of the 19 lowest-paid football coaches are in the DISD.
At $5,625.63 per victory, Todd Dodge of 16-0 Southlake Carroll was the best bargain.
Forty-one coaches made at least twice as much as the average teacher in their school district.
The average salary for Class 5A and 4A head coaches in the area was $82,179.16.
Carter's Allen Wilson is the highest-paid coach in the Dallas Independent School District.
• Mr. Dodge, whose team was 16-0, was the best bargain at $5,625.63 per victory.
Jeri Stone, executive director of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, said the numbers indicate a culture in which "academic accomplishments aren't valued as highly as athletic accomplishments."
"It's not really startling," Ms. Stone said. "We've known for some time that coaches, particularly at the higher levels, have tended to be valued closer to administrators than teachers."
But not closer to the top administrators. For the 37 school districts surveyed, superintendents were paid an average of $176,764 in 2004-05, according to the TEA.
D.W. Rutledge, executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association, said he thinks teacher salaries are too low rather than coaching salaries too high. Coaches, he added, can have "a profound effect on the school and community."
"I think schools recognize the impact that a good athletic program could have on a school, in terms of morale and a reduction in discipline problems and giving chances to participate in a wholesome program," Mr. Rutledge said. "It sounds corny, but those are the main things we need to be teaching. If we get those attitudes set right, then everything else falls into place."
Mr. Harrell at Ennis is the area's top-paid coach at $106,044. He is 123-35 in 12 seasons at the school and has won three Class 4A state titles in the last six years. Superintendent Mike Harper said the football program has generated more than $200,000 in revenue each of the last five seasons.
"Not everyone can post Sam Harrell's record, so we've allowed supply and demand to determine his salary structure," Mr. Harper said. "Obviously because of the success Sam's had, he's a popular target for head-coaching positions. But we're taking the position that we would not let another high school deprive our students of his talents based on economics.
"I view him as an investment that has paid off."
Districts have the authority to determine compensation for their teachers and coaches.
A market study conducted by the Carroll ISD last spring found that Mr. Dodge was behind the salary curve for head football coaches when compared with other area schools and the state's elite programs. He received a nearly 10 percent increase before this season, boosting his compensation to more than twice the average salary for a teacher in Carroll ISD ($41,661).
Derek Citty, Carroll ISD's chief personnel officer, said it's difficult to balance the community's desire to keep a sought-after coach while also adequately compensating the district's 469 teachers.
"We knew full well when we recommended an adjustment for the head football coach's position that we lagged the market," Mr. Citty said. "But it was an indefensible position for me to take a recommendation to the board any higher than what we did when we can't pay instructional staff the same way."
TOM FOX/DMN
Southlake Carroll coach Todd Dodge (left), winner of three state titles in four years, is a relative bargain at $90,010 or $5,625.63 per victory. What becomes an issue is the scope of a coach's duties and the time they require. It is rare these days to find a head football coach who actually teaches in the classroom. Many, though not all, suburban districts also put the football coach in charge of a school's athletic program.
"If people would really just take the time to follow 5A or 4A coaches around from Aug. 1 until five or six rounds of the playoffs, they never would say that $82,000 is too much," Mr. Dodge said of the average coaching salary. "It's a seven-day-a-week job from 7 in the morning until 9 at night. If you broke it down to the number of hours that a high school football coach works, I know one thing: All of us would be pretty depressed."
While Dallas ISD had the highest average teacher salary in the area at $47,705, its average coach's salary of $69,881.58 ranks 35th, which was ahead of only two one-high-school districts, Lake Dallas and Midlothian. The district's highest-paid coaches were Allen Wilson of Carter ($86,445, No. 37 overall) and Skyline's Reginald Samples ($84,650, No. 40).
Dallas ISD athletic director Troy Mathieu acknowledges that his head coaches are paid below what the market dictates. But he also believes that, overall, football coaches' salaries aren't exorbitant.
Mr. Mathieu said that football coaches are important to their communities in their capacity as campus athletic directors. In many regards, he said, they take on administrative responsibilities and should be compensated accordingly.
"The whole salary issue is something we focus on and try to incorporate every budget year. And one of these days, we'll have the resources to go in and close the gap," Mr. Mathieu said. "But it's not something right now that is a major priority – and rightfully so – because we have so many other issues to worry about.
"You can't just write one memo and pay everyone according to market average. It would take a significant interest from the board and the school district to make the correction overnight."
Higher salaries also don't always translate to more success on the field.
Only six of the 20 highest-paid coaches qualified for the playoffs. But seven of the 19 lowest-paid coaches made the postseason; Lake Dallas coach Mike Young was the lowest paid of that group ($55,100, No. 93 overall).
Bobby Estes guided Woodrow Wilson to an 11-1 record this season and a Class 4A area-round playoff berth. But his salary of $68,511 translates to $6,228.27 per victory. That ranks as the third best bargain behind Mr. Dodge and Hebron coach Brian Brazil, whose teams were undefeated.
Mr. Estes' salary ranks 84th overall, but he said compensation isn't always a motivating factor.
"It would be nice to make more money, but that's not the reason why I got into this profession," Mr. Estes said. "Though it's important to provide for my family, it's equally important in my mind to enjoy where you're working and who you're working with.
"We have to be the maintenance man, laundry guy, mentor and father figure all wrapped into one. In my mind, that's what makes the DISD intriguing. You do have to work your tail off to be successful, because it's not just handed to you."
E-mail mjacob@dallasnews.com
THE TOP TEN
The highest salaries paid to Class 5A or 4A football coaches in the Dallas area.
Coach School Salary Per Win
Sam Harrell Ennis $106,044 $9,640.36
Randy Allen Highland Park $105,652 $7,043.47
Gary Childress Carrollton Creekview $102,136 $17,022.67
Eddy Peach Arlington Lamar $99,437 $33,145.83
Steve Lineweaver Euless Trinity $95,830 $6,845.00
Gary Olivo Hurst L.D. Bell $95,830 $31,943.33
Leonard McAngus Justin Northwest $92,720 $15,453.33
Scott Smith Rockwall $92,523 $23,130.75
Mark Howard Frisco Centennial $91,508 $45,754.00
David Beaty Irving MacArthur $91,503 $10,167.00
Mike Farda Irving Nimitz $91,503 $15,250.50
Jim Bennett Irving $91,503 $22,875.75
COACHES AND TEACHERS
The 10 highest paid coaches when their salaries are ranked as a percentage of the average salary of a teacher in their school district. Coaches' salaries are for 2005-06; teachers' salaries are for 2004-05, the most recent data available.
Coach School District Salary Avg. teacher salary Coach's salary as percentage of avg. teacher salary
Sam Harrell Ennis Ennis $106,044 $42,766 248%
Gary Childress Carrollton Creekview Carr.-Farmers Branch $102,136 $42,353 241%
Dave Meadows DeSoto DeSoto $89,656 $38,556 233%
Randy Allen Highland Park Highland Park $105,652 $45,550 232%
Eddy Peach Arlington Lamar Arlington $99,437 $44,140 225%
Scott Smith Rockwall Rockwall $92,523 $41,309 224%
Mark Howard Frisco Centennial Frisco $91,508 $41,739 219%
David Beaty Irving MacArthur Irving $91,503 $42,192 217%
Mike Farda Irving Nimitz Irving $91,503 $42,192 217%
Jim Bennett Irving Irving $91,503 $42,192 217%
FOOTBALL COACHES' SALARIES
The News asked 37 area school districts to provide total compensation paid to head football coaches at 95 Class 5A and 4A schools. Average teacher compensation in each district for 2004-05 was obtained from the Texas Education Agency.
Rank Coach School 2005-06 Compensation Record Average per win Playoffs District Average Teacher Salary Coach as Pct. of Avg. Teacher
1 Sam Harrell Ennis $106,044 11-2 $9,640.36 Y Ennis $42,766 248%
2 Randy Allen Highland Park $105,652 15-0 $7,043.47 Y Highland Park $45,550 232%
3 Gary Childress Carrollton Creekview $102,136 6-5 $17,022.67 Y Carr.-Farmers Branch $42,353 241%
4 Eddy Peach Arlington Lamar $99,437.48 3-7 $33,145.83 N Arlington $44,140 225%
5 Steve Lineweaver* Euless Trinity $95,830 14-1 $6,845.00 Y Hurst-Euless-Bedford $44,839 214%
5 Gary Olivo* Hurst L.D. Bell $95,830 3-7 $31,943.33 N Hurst-Euless-Bedford $44,839 214%
7 Leonard McAngus Justin Northwest $92,720 6-4 $15,453.33 N Northwest $44,500 208%
8 Scott Smith Rockwall $92,523 4-6 $23,130.75 N Rockwall $41,309 224%
9 Mark Howard Frisco Centennial $91,508 2-8 $45,754.00 N Frisco $41,739 219%
10 David Beaty Irving MacArthur $91,503 9-2 $10,167.00 Y Irving $42,192 217%
10 Mike Farda Irving Nimitz $91,503 6-4 $15,250.50 N Irving $42,192 217%
10 Jim Bennett Irving $91,503 4-6 $22,875.75 N Irving $42,192 217%
13 Brian Brazil Hebron $91,471 16-0 $5,716.94 Y Lewisville $43,889 208%
13 Cody Vanderford Flower Mound $91,471 6-4 $15,245.17 N Lewisville $43,889 208%
13 Randy Mayes Flower Mound Marcus $91,471 5-5 $18,294.20 N Lewisville $43,889 208%
13 Steve Gaddis Lewisville $91,471 1-9 $91,471.00 N Lewisville $43,889 208%
13 Dan Burk The Colony $91,471 0-10 ** N Lewisville $43,889 208%
18 Ronnie Laurence Arlington Martin $90,505.74 3-7 $30,168.58 N Arlington $44,140 205%
18 Anthony Criss Arlington Bowie $90,505.74 1-9 $90,505.74 N Arlington $44,140 205%
20 Vance Gibson Frisco $90,400 6-4 $15,066.67 N Frisco $41,739 217%
21 Joey Florence Denton Ryan $90,253 7-4 $12,893.29 Y Denton $42,541 212%
22 Todd Dodge* Southlake Carroll $90,010 16-0 $5,625.63 Y Carroll $41,661 216%
23 Ricky Albus Arlington Seguin $89,901.67 9-3 $9,989.07 Y Arlington $44,140 204%
23 Scott Peach Arlington $89,901.67 7-4 $12,843.10 Y Arlington $44,140 204%
23 George McFarland Arlington Sam Houston $89,901.67 0-10 ** N Arlington $44,140 204%
26 Jim Skinner Birdville $89,681 7-3 $12,811.57 N Birdville $45,539 197%
26 Kenny Perry Haltom $89,681 5-5 $17,936.20 N Birdville $45,539 197%
26 Gene Wier Richland $89,681 0-10 ** N Birdville $45,539 197%
29 Dave Meadows DeSoto $89,656 6-5 $14,942.67 Y DeSoto $38,556 233%
30 Gerald Brence Plano $88,154.10 13-1 $6,781.08 Y Plano $43,006 205%
30 Johnny Ringo Plano East $88,154.10 6-6 $14,692.35 Y Plano $43,006 205%
30 Mike Hughes Plano West $88,154.10 6-4 $14,692.35 N Plano $43,006 205%
33 David Fisher South Grand Prairie $87,387 10-2 $8,738.70 Y Grand Prairie $43,336 202%
34 Jerry Gayden Lake Highlands $87,332 8-4 $10,916.50 Y Richardson $41,053 213%
34 Bobby Reyes Richardson Pearce $87,332 7-3 $12,476.00 N Richardson $41,053 213%
36 Tom Westerberg* Allen $86,709 9-3 $9,634.33 Y Allen $42,332 205%
37 Allen Wilson Carter $86,445 11-1 $7,858.64 Y Dallas $47,705 181%
38 Steve Halpin Mesquite $85,954 6-5 $14,325.67 Y Mesquite $42,896 200%
39 Jim Ledford Richardson Berkner $85,620 12-1 $7,135.00 Y Richardson $41,053 209%
40 Reginald Samples Skyline $84,650 7-4 $12,092.86 Y Dallas $47,705 177%
41 Gary Bartel Grand Prairie $84,575 0-10 ** N Grand Prairie $43,336 195%
42 Mike Fuller* Coppell $84,482 5-5 $16,896.40 N Coppell $42,767 198%
43 Terry Cron Mansfield Timberview $84,315 4-6 $21,078.75 N Mansfield $43,764 193%
44 Harry Everett Richardson $83,941 2-8 $41,970.50 N Richardson $41,053 204%
45 Mark Ball Wylie $83,160 10-4 $8,316.00 Y Wylie $40,241 207%
46 Joey McGuire Cedar Hill $82,877.88 7-4 $11,839.70 Y Cedar Hill $41,264 201%
47 Randy Patzkowski Denton $82,860 2-8 $41,430.00 N Denton $42,541 195%
48 Charlie Hesse Mesquite Poteet $82,408 4-6 $20,602.00 N Mesquite $42,896 192%
49 Dan Schreiber Duncanville $82,394 6-4 $13,732.33 N Duncanville $44,402 186%
50 Gary Mullins Grapevine $82,023.40 6-4 $13,670.57 N Grapevine-Colleyville $43,909 187%
51 Chris Cunningham Colleyville Heritage $81,883.69 6-4 $13,647.28 N Grapevine-Colleyville $43,909 186%
52 Hal Wasson Keller Fossil Ridge $81,660.89 6-5 $13,610.15 Y Keller $42,009 194%
53 Shawn Pratt McKinney North $81,348 8-4 $10,168.50 Y McKinney $40,042 203%
54 Todd McVey McKinney $81,298 3-7 $27,099.33 N McKinney $40,042 203%
55 Bill Patterson Garland Naaman Forest $81,274 1-9 $81,274.00 N Garland $42,377 192%
56 Mickey Moss South Garland $80,872 8-5 $10,109.00 Y Garland $42,377 191%
57 Kevin Rush Forney $80,586 3-7 $26,862.00 N Forney $40,572 199%
58 Gary Johnson West Mesquite $80,454 5-5 $16,090.80 N Mesquite $42,896 188%
59 Carl Jackson Adamson $80,365 0-10 ** N Dallas $47,705 168%
60 Kirk Thor Mansfield $80,312 5-5 $16,062.40 N Mansfield $43,764 184%
61 Danny Edelman Red Oak $80,000 0-10 ** N Red Oak $41,886 191%
62 Michael Zoffuto W.T. White $79,736 4-7 $19,934.00 Y Dallas $47,705 167%
63 Steve Bragg North Mesquite $79,714 3-7 $26,571.33 N Mesquite $42,896 186%
64 Jeff Jordan Garland $79,702 10-3 $7,970.20 Y Garland $42,377 188%
65 Kevin Atkinson Keller $79,660.89 3-7 $26,553.63 N Keller $42,009 190%
66 Todd York Terrell $78,953 10-2 $7,895.30 Y Terrell $39,640 199%
67 David Ream* Waxahachie $78,841 6-5 $13,140.17 Y Waxahachie $43,461 181%
68 Jody Allen Carrollton R.L. Turner $78,440 1-9 $78,440.00 N Carr.-Farmers Branch $42,353 185%
69 Don Payne Mesquite Horn $78,340 4-6 $19,585.00 N Mesquite $42,896 183%
70 Andrew Jackson Lancaster $78,048 8-4 $9,756.00 Y Lancaster $41,964 186%
71 Dave Henigan* Corsicana $78,000 8-4 $9,750.00 Y Corsicana $38,416 203%
72 David Farris North Garland $77,937 4-6 $19,484.25 N Garland $42,377 184%
73 Kiff Hardin Rowlett $77,747 9-3 $8,638.56 Y Garland $42,377 183%
74 Bart Helsley Keller Central $77,660.89 3-7 $25,886.96 N Keller $42,009 185%
75 Kyle Geller Mansfield Summit $76,680 9-3 $8,520.00 Y Mansfield $43,764 175%
76 Don Willis Garland Lakeview $76,614 3-7 $25,538.00 N Garland $42,377 181%
77 Darrell Jordan Kimball $76,365 9-2 $8,485.00 Y Dallas $47,705 160%
78 Robert Woods Thomas Jefferson $75,587 0-10 ** N Dallas $47,705 158%
79 Mark Behrens Sachse $73,170 6-4 $12,195.00 N Garland $42,377 173%
80 J.B. Wallace Jr. South Oak Cliff $73,073 6-5 $12,178.83 Y Dallas $47,705 153%
81 Bobby Bounds Carr. Newman Smith $72,758 3-7 $24,252.67 N Carr.-Farmers Branch $42,353 172%
82 Clayton George Hillcrest $69,447 6-5 $11,574.50 Y Dallas $47,705 146%
83 Steven Pierce Samuell $68,814 4-6 $17,203.50 N Dallas $47,705 144%
84 Bobby Estes Woodrow Wilson $68,511 11-1 $6,228.27 Y Dallas $47,705 144%
85 James Argenti Pinkston $68,239 7-4 $9,748.43 Y Dallas $47,705 143%
86 Melvin Lark Spruce $68,239 4-6 $17,059.75 N Dallas $47,705 143%
87 Charles Deville Molina $68,073 3-7 $22,691.00 N Dallas $47,705 143%
88 Michael Smiddy Bryan Adams $67,685 3-7 $22,561.67 N Dallas $47,705 142%
89 Gary Comer* Sunset $64,883 1-9 $64,883.00 N Dallas $47,705 136%
90 Clint Roddy Seagoville $63,881 5-5 $12,776.20 N Dallas $47,705 134%
91 Jerry Sands* Lincoln $60,778 7-4 $8,682.57 Y Dallas $47,705 127%
92 Adam Henke* Midlothian $60,760 5-5 $12,152.00 N Midlothian $40,399 150%
93 Mike Young Lake Dallas $55,100 6-5 $9,183.33 Y Lake Dallas $36,371 151%
94 Sonny Perez North Dallas $52,862 1-9 $52,862.00 N Dallas $47,705 111%
95 Lonnie Calahan A. Maceo Smith $50,117 3-7 $16,705.67 N Dallas $47,705 105%
* Football coach with no additional administrative duties.
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High school football coaches cashing in
10:31 PM CST on Monday, January 9, 2006
By MATT JACOB / The Dallas Morning News
For proof that football is the undisputed king of Texas high school sports, you need to look no further than what area school districts are paying head coaches.
Their average salary is $82,179.16, and nearly half are paid at least twice what an average teacher makes.
The Dallas Morning News asked 37 districts for the total compensation paid to 95 Class 5A and 4A head football coaches for the 2005-06 academic year. Average teacher salaries were obtained from the Texas Education Agency for 2004-05, the most recent data available.
High Schools
Tell Us: What are your thoughts on what HS football coaches in Texas are paid?
Graphic: Football coaches' salaries (.pdf)
More high school football
An analysis of the numbers led to some surprising findings. For instance, Southlake Carroll coach Todd Dodge, whose teams are 63-1 the last four years with three Class 5A state titles and two seasons that ended with mythical national championships, ranks No. 22 at $90,010.
Some other findings:
• Fourteen of the 20 highest-paid coaches missed the playoffs.
• Three coaches – Sam Harrell of Ennis, Highland Park's Randy Allen and Gary Childress of Carrollton Creekview – earned more than $100,000.
• Dallas ISD lags in coaches' pay. Two of the Dallas ISD's 19 head football coaches rank among the 40 highest-paid coaches. Fifteen of the 19 lowest-paid coaches are from the DISD.
• Coaches' pay far outpaces that of teachers. The salaries of 41 of the 95 coaches are at least twice the average salary of teachers in their district.
Data Analysis
Fourteen of the 20 highest-paid coaches did not make the playoffs this season. Seven of the 20 lowest-paid coaches did make the playoffs.
Lake Dallas' Mike Young was the lowest-paid coach who made the playoffs.
Fifteen of the 19 lowest-paid football coaches are in the DISD.
At $5,625.63 per victory, Todd Dodge of 16-0 Southlake Carroll was the best bargain.
Forty-one coaches made at least twice as much as the average teacher in their school district.
The average salary for Class 5A and 4A head coaches in the area was $82,179.16.
Carter's Allen Wilson is the highest-paid coach in the Dallas Independent School District.
• Mr. Dodge, whose team was 16-0, was the best bargain at $5,625.63 per victory.
Jeri Stone, executive director of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, said the numbers indicate a culture in which "academic accomplishments aren't valued as highly as athletic accomplishments."
"It's not really startling," Ms. Stone said. "We've known for some time that coaches, particularly at the higher levels, have tended to be valued closer to administrators than teachers."
But not closer to the top administrators. For the 37 school districts surveyed, superintendents were paid an average of $176,764 in 2004-05, according to the TEA.
D.W. Rutledge, executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association, said he thinks teacher salaries are too low rather than coaching salaries too high. Coaches, he added, can have "a profound effect on the school and community."
"I think schools recognize the impact that a good athletic program could have on a school, in terms of morale and a reduction in discipline problems and giving chances to participate in a wholesome program," Mr. Rutledge said. "It sounds corny, but those are the main things we need to be teaching. If we get those attitudes set right, then everything else falls into place."
Mr. Harrell at Ennis is the area's top-paid coach at $106,044. He is 123-35 in 12 seasons at the school and has won three Class 4A state titles in the last six years. Superintendent Mike Harper said the football program has generated more than $200,000 in revenue each of the last five seasons.
"Not everyone can post Sam Harrell's record, so we've allowed supply and demand to determine his salary structure," Mr. Harper said. "Obviously because of the success Sam's had, he's a popular target for head-coaching positions. But we're taking the position that we would not let another high school deprive our students of his talents based on economics.
"I view him as an investment that has paid off."
Districts have the authority to determine compensation for their teachers and coaches.
A market study conducted by the Carroll ISD last spring found that Mr. Dodge was behind the salary curve for head football coaches when compared with other area schools and the state's elite programs. He received a nearly 10 percent increase before this season, boosting his compensation to more than twice the average salary for a teacher in Carroll ISD ($41,661).
Derek Citty, Carroll ISD's chief personnel officer, said it's difficult to balance the community's desire to keep a sought-after coach while also adequately compensating the district's 469 teachers.
"We knew full well when we recommended an adjustment for the head football coach's position that we lagged the market," Mr. Citty said. "But it was an indefensible position for me to take a recommendation to the board any higher than what we did when we can't pay instructional staff the same way."
TOM FOX/DMN
Southlake Carroll coach Todd Dodge (left), winner of three state titles in four years, is a relative bargain at $90,010 or $5,625.63 per victory. What becomes an issue is the scope of a coach's duties and the time they require. It is rare these days to find a head football coach who actually teaches in the classroom. Many, though not all, suburban districts also put the football coach in charge of a school's athletic program.
"If people would really just take the time to follow 5A or 4A coaches around from Aug. 1 until five or six rounds of the playoffs, they never would say that $82,000 is too much," Mr. Dodge said of the average coaching salary. "It's a seven-day-a-week job from 7 in the morning until 9 at night. If you broke it down to the number of hours that a high school football coach works, I know one thing: All of us would be pretty depressed."
While Dallas ISD had the highest average teacher salary in the area at $47,705, its average coach's salary of $69,881.58 ranks 35th, which was ahead of only two one-high-school districts, Lake Dallas and Midlothian. The district's highest-paid coaches were Allen Wilson of Carter ($86,445, No. 37 overall) and Skyline's Reginald Samples ($84,650, No. 40).
Dallas ISD athletic director Troy Mathieu acknowledges that his head coaches are paid below what the market dictates. But he also believes that, overall, football coaches' salaries aren't exorbitant.
Mr. Mathieu said that football coaches are important to their communities in their capacity as campus athletic directors. In many regards, he said, they take on administrative responsibilities and should be compensated accordingly.
"The whole salary issue is something we focus on and try to incorporate every budget year. And one of these days, we'll have the resources to go in and close the gap," Mr. Mathieu said. "But it's not something right now that is a major priority – and rightfully so – because we have so many other issues to worry about.
"You can't just write one memo and pay everyone according to market average. It would take a significant interest from the board and the school district to make the correction overnight."
Higher salaries also don't always translate to more success on the field.
Only six of the 20 highest-paid coaches qualified for the playoffs. But seven of the 19 lowest-paid coaches made the postseason; Lake Dallas coach Mike Young was the lowest paid of that group ($55,100, No. 93 overall).
Bobby Estes guided Woodrow Wilson to an 11-1 record this season and a Class 4A area-round playoff berth. But his salary of $68,511 translates to $6,228.27 per victory. That ranks as the third best bargain behind Mr. Dodge and Hebron coach Brian Brazil, whose teams were undefeated.
Mr. Estes' salary ranks 84th overall, but he said compensation isn't always a motivating factor.
"It would be nice to make more money, but that's not the reason why I got into this profession," Mr. Estes said. "Though it's important to provide for my family, it's equally important in my mind to enjoy where you're working and who you're working with.
"We have to be the maintenance man, laundry guy, mentor and father figure all wrapped into one. In my mind, that's what makes the DISD intriguing. You do have to work your tail off to be successful, because it's not just handed to you."
E-mail mjacob@dallasnews.com
THE TOP TEN
The highest salaries paid to Class 5A or 4A football coaches in the Dallas area.
Coach School Salary Per Win
Sam Harrell Ennis $106,044 $9,640.36
Randy Allen Highland Park $105,652 $7,043.47
Gary Childress Carrollton Creekview $102,136 $17,022.67
Eddy Peach Arlington Lamar $99,437 $33,145.83
Steve Lineweaver Euless Trinity $95,830 $6,845.00
Gary Olivo Hurst L.D. Bell $95,830 $31,943.33
Leonard McAngus Justin Northwest $92,720 $15,453.33
Scott Smith Rockwall $92,523 $23,130.75
Mark Howard Frisco Centennial $91,508 $45,754.00
David Beaty Irving MacArthur $91,503 $10,167.00
Mike Farda Irving Nimitz $91,503 $15,250.50
Jim Bennett Irving $91,503 $22,875.75
COACHES AND TEACHERS
The 10 highest paid coaches when their salaries are ranked as a percentage of the average salary of a teacher in their school district. Coaches' salaries are for 2005-06; teachers' salaries are for 2004-05, the most recent data available.
Coach School District Salary Avg. teacher salary Coach's salary as percentage of avg. teacher salary
Sam Harrell Ennis Ennis $106,044 $42,766 248%
Gary Childress Carrollton Creekview Carr.-Farmers Branch $102,136 $42,353 241%
Dave Meadows DeSoto DeSoto $89,656 $38,556 233%
Randy Allen Highland Park Highland Park $105,652 $45,550 232%
Eddy Peach Arlington Lamar Arlington $99,437 $44,140 225%
Scott Smith Rockwall Rockwall $92,523 $41,309 224%
Mark Howard Frisco Centennial Frisco $91,508 $41,739 219%
David Beaty Irving MacArthur Irving $91,503 $42,192 217%
Mike Farda Irving Nimitz Irving $91,503 $42,192 217%
Jim Bennett Irving Irving $91,503 $42,192 217%
FOOTBALL COACHES' SALARIES
The News asked 37 area school districts to provide total compensation paid to head football coaches at 95 Class 5A and 4A schools. Average teacher compensation in each district for 2004-05 was obtained from the Texas Education Agency.
Rank Coach School 2005-06 Compensation Record Average per win Playoffs District Average Teacher Salary Coach as Pct. of Avg. Teacher
1 Sam Harrell Ennis $106,044 11-2 $9,640.36 Y Ennis $42,766 248%
2 Randy Allen Highland Park $105,652 15-0 $7,043.47 Y Highland Park $45,550 232%
3 Gary Childress Carrollton Creekview $102,136 6-5 $17,022.67 Y Carr.-Farmers Branch $42,353 241%
4 Eddy Peach Arlington Lamar $99,437.48 3-7 $33,145.83 N Arlington $44,140 225%
5 Steve Lineweaver* Euless Trinity $95,830 14-1 $6,845.00 Y Hurst-Euless-Bedford $44,839 214%
5 Gary Olivo* Hurst L.D. Bell $95,830 3-7 $31,943.33 N Hurst-Euless-Bedford $44,839 214%
7 Leonard McAngus Justin Northwest $92,720 6-4 $15,453.33 N Northwest $44,500 208%
8 Scott Smith Rockwall $92,523 4-6 $23,130.75 N Rockwall $41,309 224%
9 Mark Howard Frisco Centennial $91,508 2-8 $45,754.00 N Frisco $41,739 219%
10 David Beaty Irving MacArthur $91,503 9-2 $10,167.00 Y Irving $42,192 217%
10 Mike Farda Irving Nimitz $91,503 6-4 $15,250.50 N Irving $42,192 217%
10 Jim Bennett Irving $91,503 4-6 $22,875.75 N Irving $42,192 217%
13 Brian Brazil Hebron $91,471 16-0 $5,716.94 Y Lewisville $43,889 208%
13 Cody Vanderford Flower Mound $91,471 6-4 $15,245.17 N Lewisville $43,889 208%
13 Randy Mayes Flower Mound Marcus $91,471 5-5 $18,294.20 N Lewisville $43,889 208%
13 Steve Gaddis Lewisville $91,471 1-9 $91,471.00 N Lewisville $43,889 208%
13 Dan Burk The Colony $91,471 0-10 ** N Lewisville $43,889 208%
18 Ronnie Laurence Arlington Martin $90,505.74 3-7 $30,168.58 N Arlington $44,140 205%
18 Anthony Criss Arlington Bowie $90,505.74 1-9 $90,505.74 N Arlington $44,140 205%
20 Vance Gibson Frisco $90,400 6-4 $15,066.67 N Frisco $41,739 217%
21 Joey Florence Denton Ryan $90,253 7-4 $12,893.29 Y Denton $42,541 212%
22 Todd Dodge* Southlake Carroll $90,010 16-0 $5,625.63 Y Carroll $41,661 216%
23 Ricky Albus Arlington Seguin $89,901.67 9-3 $9,989.07 Y Arlington $44,140 204%
23 Scott Peach Arlington $89,901.67 7-4 $12,843.10 Y Arlington $44,140 204%
23 George McFarland Arlington Sam Houston $89,901.67 0-10 ** N Arlington $44,140 204%
26 Jim Skinner Birdville $89,681 7-3 $12,811.57 N Birdville $45,539 197%
26 Kenny Perry Haltom $89,681 5-5 $17,936.20 N Birdville $45,539 197%
26 Gene Wier Richland $89,681 0-10 ** N Birdville $45,539 197%
29 Dave Meadows DeSoto $89,656 6-5 $14,942.67 Y DeSoto $38,556 233%
30 Gerald Brence Plano $88,154.10 13-1 $6,781.08 Y Plano $43,006 205%
30 Johnny Ringo Plano East $88,154.10 6-6 $14,692.35 Y Plano $43,006 205%
30 Mike Hughes Plano West $88,154.10 6-4 $14,692.35 N Plano $43,006 205%
33 David Fisher South Grand Prairie $87,387 10-2 $8,738.70 Y Grand Prairie $43,336 202%
34 Jerry Gayden Lake Highlands $87,332 8-4 $10,916.50 Y Richardson $41,053 213%
34 Bobby Reyes Richardson Pearce $87,332 7-3 $12,476.00 N Richardson $41,053 213%
36 Tom Westerberg* Allen $86,709 9-3 $9,634.33 Y Allen $42,332 205%
37 Allen Wilson Carter $86,445 11-1 $7,858.64 Y Dallas $47,705 181%
38 Steve Halpin Mesquite $85,954 6-5 $14,325.67 Y Mesquite $42,896 200%
39 Jim Ledford Richardson Berkner $85,620 12-1 $7,135.00 Y Richardson $41,053 209%
40 Reginald Samples Skyline $84,650 7-4 $12,092.86 Y Dallas $47,705 177%
41 Gary Bartel Grand Prairie $84,575 0-10 ** N Grand Prairie $43,336 195%
42 Mike Fuller* Coppell $84,482 5-5 $16,896.40 N Coppell $42,767 198%
43 Terry Cron Mansfield Timberview $84,315 4-6 $21,078.75 N Mansfield $43,764 193%
44 Harry Everett Richardson $83,941 2-8 $41,970.50 N Richardson $41,053 204%
45 Mark Ball Wylie $83,160 10-4 $8,316.00 Y Wylie $40,241 207%
46 Joey McGuire Cedar Hill $82,877.88 7-4 $11,839.70 Y Cedar Hill $41,264 201%
47 Randy Patzkowski Denton $82,860 2-8 $41,430.00 N Denton $42,541 195%
48 Charlie Hesse Mesquite Poteet $82,408 4-6 $20,602.00 N Mesquite $42,896 192%
49 Dan Schreiber Duncanville $82,394 6-4 $13,732.33 N Duncanville $44,402 186%
50 Gary Mullins Grapevine $82,023.40 6-4 $13,670.57 N Grapevine-Colleyville $43,909 187%
51 Chris Cunningham Colleyville Heritage $81,883.69 6-4 $13,647.28 N Grapevine-Colleyville $43,909 186%
52 Hal Wasson Keller Fossil Ridge $81,660.89 6-5 $13,610.15 Y Keller $42,009 194%
53 Shawn Pratt McKinney North $81,348 8-4 $10,168.50 Y McKinney $40,042 203%
54 Todd McVey McKinney $81,298 3-7 $27,099.33 N McKinney $40,042 203%
55 Bill Patterson Garland Naaman Forest $81,274 1-9 $81,274.00 N Garland $42,377 192%
56 Mickey Moss South Garland $80,872 8-5 $10,109.00 Y Garland $42,377 191%
57 Kevin Rush Forney $80,586 3-7 $26,862.00 N Forney $40,572 199%
58 Gary Johnson West Mesquite $80,454 5-5 $16,090.80 N Mesquite $42,896 188%
59 Carl Jackson Adamson $80,365 0-10 ** N Dallas $47,705 168%
60 Kirk Thor Mansfield $80,312 5-5 $16,062.40 N Mansfield $43,764 184%
61 Danny Edelman Red Oak $80,000 0-10 ** N Red Oak $41,886 191%
62 Michael Zoffuto W.T. White $79,736 4-7 $19,934.00 Y Dallas $47,705 167%
63 Steve Bragg North Mesquite $79,714 3-7 $26,571.33 N Mesquite $42,896 186%
64 Jeff Jordan Garland $79,702 10-3 $7,970.20 Y Garland $42,377 188%
65 Kevin Atkinson Keller $79,660.89 3-7 $26,553.63 N Keller $42,009 190%
66 Todd York Terrell $78,953 10-2 $7,895.30 Y Terrell $39,640 199%
67 David Ream* Waxahachie $78,841 6-5 $13,140.17 Y Waxahachie $43,461 181%
68 Jody Allen Carrollton R.L. Turner $78,440 1-9 $78,440.00 N Carr.-Farmers Branch $42,353 185%
69 Don Payne Mesquite Horn $78,340 4-6 $19,585.00 N Mesquite $42,896 183%
70 Andrew Jackson Lancaster $78,048 8-4 $9,756.00 Y Lancaster $41,964 186%
71 Dave Henigan* Corsicana $78,000 8-4 $9,750.00 Y Corsicana $38,416 203%
72 David Farris North Garland $77,937 4-6 $19,484.25 N Garland $42,377 184%
73 Kiff Hardin Rowlett $77,747 9-3 $8,638.56 Y Garland $42,377 183%
74 Bart Helsley Keller Central $77,660.89 3-7 $25,886.96 N Keller $42,009 185%
75 Kyle Geller Mansfield Summit $76,680 9-3 $8,520.00 Y Mansfield $43,764 175%
76 Don Willis Garland Lakeview $76,614 3-7 $25,538.00 N Garland $42,377 181%
77 Darrell Jordan Kimball $76,365 9-2 $8,485.00 Y Dallas $47,705 160%
78 Robert Woods Thomas Jefferson $75,587 0-10 ** N Dallas $47,705 158%
79 Mark Behrens Sachse $73,170 6-4 $12,195.00 N Garland $42,377 173%
80 J.B. Wallace Jr. South Oak Cliff $73,073 6-5 $12,178.83 Y Dallas $47,705 153%
81 Bobby Bounds Carr. Newman Smith $72,758 3-7 $24,252.67 N Carr.-Farmers Branch $42,353 172%
82 Clayton George Hillcrest $69,447 6-5 $11,574.50 Y Dallas $47,705 146%
83 Steven Pierce Samuell $68,814 4-6 $17,203.50 N Dallas $47,705 144%
84 Bobby Estes Woodrow Wilson $68,511 11-1 $6,228.27 Y Dallas $47,705 144%
85 James Argenti Pinkston $68,239 7-4 $9,748.43 Y Dallas $47,705 143%
86 Melvin Lark Spruce $68,239 4-6 $17,059.75 N Dallas $47,705 143%
87 Charles Deville Molina $68,073 3-7 $22,691.00 N Dallas $47,705 143%
88 Michael Smiddy Bryan Adams $67,685 3-7 $22,561.67 N Dallas $47,705 142%
89 Gary Comer* Sunset $64,883 1-9 $64,883.00 N Dallas $47,705 136%
90 Clint Roddy Seagoville $63,881 5-5 $12,776.20 N Dallas $47,705 134%
91 Jerry Sands* Lincoln $60,778 7-4 $8,682.57 Y Dallas $47,705 127%
92 Adam Henke* Midlothian $60,760 5-5 $12,152.00 N Midlothian $40,399 150%
93 Mike Young Lake Dallas $55,100 6-5 $9,183.33 Y Lake Dallas $36,371 151%
94 Sonny Perez North Dallas $52,862 1-9 $52,862.00 N Dallas $47,705 111%
95 Lonnie Calahan A. Maceo Smith $50,117 3-7 $16,705.67 N Dallas $47,705 105%
* Football coach with no additional administrative duties.
