There are no limits on what Texas high school football coaches can be paid, as long as school boards vote to approve contracts set by administrators.

 

So how much is too much? It depends who you ask.

 

“Our society places a lot of value on Friday night lights and our high school football teams,” said Steven Poole, executive director of the United Educators Association, which advocates for teachers in DFW. “I’m hoping someday society places that high of a value on teachers.”

 

Administrators say the pool of qualified candidates for head coaches, many of whom are also the athletic coordinators at their campuses, is smaller than the pool of qualified teachers. That drives up the cost for top talent.

 

Statewide, football coaches earn an average of $98,668. The average salary for a high school teacher is $55,221. Principals at the state’s 5A and 6A schools (those with enrollments of 1,100 or more) earn an average of $117,744, according to the Star-Telegram’s analysis.

 

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Without a doubt. Football coaches, basketball coaches, and Athletic directors are all way underpaid at a lot of schools throughout the state.

I don't care who he is or where he coaches, the head football coach is certainly not on par with the principal, let alone the superintendent. That's just plain silly.

 

That said, they are grossly underpaid in KY.

Most coaches are underpaid at the high school level.

 

None should have a salary on par with a principal.

You're worth whatever someone is willing to pay you. I don't think there is a "too much" tag that can be put on the value an entity has for your services no matter how absurd we think it can be. Reality is a football coach often puts more time in than anyone else in the district. They should certainly be paid accordingly.

I don't care who he is or where he coaches, the head football coach is certainly not on par with the principal, let alone the superintendent. That's just plain silly.

 

That said, they are grossly underpaid in KY.

 

For the areas of what they do and who they truly effect they are more on par than what our society wants to openly admit. I wouldn't go near as far as a Super, b/c, well...that's a job of it's own world.

 

However, do I think they are on the same level of importance to a school a district as far as some administrative roles for what they do and the time spent....without question.

 

Here is what people don't want to hear; coaches that want a little easier teaching load during the day get criticized to the max, but little do they know that many of these administrators go/went into that to get out of the classrooms themselves.

 

You show me administrators who chose to spend 10-15 years or less in the classroom (many out there only teach 2-3 years before jumping into admin roles) & I'll show you somebody who could not wait to be done teaching, yet they are put on some kind of educational leadership pedestal.

You show me administrators who chose to spend 10-15 years or less in the classroom (many out there only teach 2-3 years before jumping into admin roles) & I'll show you somebody who could not wait to be done teaching, yet they are put on some kind of educational leadership pedestal.

 

Not to thread-jack, but I agree. I don't know how you'd make this a law, but I think someone should have to have at least ten years in the classroom before becoming eligible for administration positions (no matter when they took the leadership classes).

I don't care who he is or where he coaches, the head football coach is certainly not on par with the principal, let alone the superintendent. That's just plain silly.

 

That said, they are grossly underpaid in KY.

 

In Texas they are, dont forget where the story is from.

I don't care who he is or where he coaches, the head football coach is certainly not on par with the principal, let alone the superintendent. That's just plain silly.

 

That said, they are grossly underpaid in KY.

I agree with 75. Head coaches are underpaid but their job is no where near that of a superintendent or principal.

You're worth whatever someone is willing to pay you.

 

Agreed.

I agree with 75. Head coaches are underpaid but their job is no where near that of a superintendent or principal.

 

In KY I would agree, in Texas, different story.

Many of these stipends for coaches across the state haven't been touched in the last 20-30 years and in some cases they are lower due to extended days being taken away. These stipends use to come with extended days, but they don't anymore and if they do then they powers to be low ball you when it comes to your base stipend.

I agree with what a lot of others are saying. Coaches in Kentucky are vastly underpaid, but their pay should not approach what a principal is paid.

In KY I would agree, in Texas, different story.

Superintendents are responsible for every single student in their district K12, academically and athletically. Football coaches are not.

Many of these stipends for coaches across the state haven't been touched in the last 20-30 years and in some cases they are lower due to extended days being taken away. These stipends use to come with extended days, but they don't anymore and if they do then they powers to be low ball you when it comes to your base stipend.

 

You must work or have worked for some bad administrators.......