The star wars arms race in college athletics: Coaches' pay and athletic program status

Abstract

This study focuses on a "star wars arms race" concerning escalating head coaches' salaries in the biggest of the big-time college sports in the United States, football and men's basketball. Data are presented from six seasons since 2003 testing the assumption that paying top salaries to coaches assures or improves success on the field and in the rankings. The data concerning rankings and mobility into and out of the "Top 25" for teams with the top-paid football and men's basketball coaches show that institutions paying the highest salaries to head coaches of these sports are not assured of having highly ranked teams. Policy issues and implications of the star wars arms race for college sports and higher education institutions are discussed. © 2012 SAGE Publications.