Good For Coach Calhoun

I saw that the Governor of Conn. claimed that Coach Calhoun was an "embarrassment" for the way he answered a question about his salary. I say the Governor ought to have kept her mouth shut. Clearly Calhoun did not appreciate being questioned about his salary. It was clear from when the question was started; "Not a dime back."

Sometimes reporters ask some assinine questions and sometimes they try to act like they are owed an explanation for anything that pops into their heads. This particular disease is in evidence with Senator Burris, where certain news organizations have, in my opinion, willfully distorted his testimony in order to push a particular agenda.

In Calhoun's case it was that he is the highest state employee at $1.6 million/year. The reporter was attempting to make the point that with the state in a budget crunch (which is most of the time), there may be something amiss for the Coach to be making so much. Calhoun clearly didn't feel so and made the excellent point that the team he coaches brings in $12 million a year. He gave a nice hint to this issue when he said "what was the take?" meaning how much money did the game they just played bring in to the University of Connecticut. See unlike the Wall Street people. He does his job and brings a direct monetary benefit to the state. In light of that the question was rude and I'm glad Calhoun put the reporter in his place.

Also as Calhoun pointed out, the press meeting was about the game, not Calhoun's salary. As he pointed out the reporter would have been free to see Calhoun after the report or at any other time since Calhoun can be found on campus for his position on his salary rather than try to call him out.