It seems like yesterday that university officials were leery about paying the bill for the Spartan Marching Band’s trip to the Silicon Valley Football Classic in San Jose, Calif. Now it would appear those with once tight wallets believe money grows on trees.
University officials took no hesitation during winter break to approve a hefty pay raise for football head coach Bobby Williams.
Williams’ new deal includes a $50,000 raise and a two-year contract extension with a rollover clause to ensure he will always have five years left on his contract at the university. In addition, the new contract triples the amount the university will have to pay to buy out Williams’ contract to a full year of his base salary - $214,800, including the pay raise.
It’s disturbing the university so carelessly spends money during a time of economic hardship. Williams’ legacy has yet to prove a worthy investment.
In his third year as boss for the Spartan gridders, Williams will be paid more than $500,000, although that’s less than the $697,330 that the university was doling out annually to former football head coach Nick Saban, who quit the team in 1999.
Although Williams may be considered more of a player’s coach than Saban, his record doesn’t show he is as good of a coach. Saban was the first Spartan head football coach in history to lead the team to bowl games in each of his first two seasons.
Williams has not failed in his duties, and we are pleased to see him bring home two bowl wins. But a 12-11 career start is not a dazzling feat, the past two seasons of Spartan football have been slightly more than mediocre.
Not to mention that Williams hasn’t kept his nose clean when it comes to recruitment. He has yet to voice his reasons for bringing Eric Knott, who was accused of a sex crime, to the Spartan lineup.
It is understandable Williams’ contract was extended two years. It makes sense that a recruit would be more inclined to play for a coach who would likely be around for his entire time of eligibility.
However, it is incomprehensible that officials would triple the school’s loss if they decide to fire Williams’ before his contract runs through.
In short, it is not wise to lock MSU in with Williams before he proves to be the right man for the job. And this contract may prove to be a bad deal.
