Highest-Paid Public Employee in Your State? Probably a College
Coach Printer-friendly versionPDF version a a Type Size: Small
May 13, 2013  When people think of (and sometimes criticize) the
pay earned by public employees, they don't usually think of
college football coaches. But it's "a gross mischaracterization"
that the football coach is the highest-paid employee in every
state, says Reuben Fischer-Baum at Deadspin.  "Sometimes it is
the basketball coach."  Fischer-Baum combed through media
reports and public records to find which state employee draws
the biggest salary in each state. It's a real eye-opener. (See
his infographic below.)  The coaches probably aren't sucking up
your tax dollars, Fischer-Baum notes, since most are paid out of
the revenues their teams earn through ticket sales, licensing
deals, and TV contracts. But most state college athletic
departments actually would be heavily in the red if not for
"student fees" and other "university subsidies."  Besides,
Fischer-Baum adds, it's not like