[teejers1]

Shaw's total compensation $8.925M ($2.2M classified as a one-time payment).

My first reaction:  AYFKM?!?

My second reaction:  Shaw should be embarrassed.

My third reaction:  Muir should be ashamed (and quite possibly fired).

[teejers1]

Shaw's total compensation $8.925M ($2.2M classified as a one-time payment).

My first reaction:  AYFKM?!?

My second reaction:  Shaw should be embarrassed.

My third reaction:  Muir should be ashamed (and quite possibly fired).

[BostonCard]

Link, for the curious:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/...i=BB15ms5q

Shaw shouldn't be embarrassed, but Muir should be.

BC

[BostonCard]

Link, for the curious:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/...i=BB15ms5q

Shaw shouldn't be embarrassed, but Muir should be.

BC

[teejers1]

Link, for the curious:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/...i=BB15ms5q

Shaw shouldn't be embarrassed, but Muir should be.

BC

Yes, Shaw should be embarrassed.  

And now it's clear why Shaw so adamantly protested disclosure of his compensation.  Because he is (rightfully) embarrassed that he fleeced Stanford for that much scratch.  And how can he question, with a straight face, the NIL (and other) compensation of athletes in his charge - which he has done - while pulling that kind of bank?

I would think anyone with a conscience would be embarrassed. Aren't you embarrassed Stanford paid its football coach that much money? I am.

[teejers1]

Link, for the curious:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/...i=BB15ms5q

Shaw shouldn't be embarrassed, but Muir should be.

BC

Yes, Shaw should be embarrassed.  

And now it's clear why Shaw so adamantly protested disclosure of his compensation.  Because he is (rightfully) embarrassed that he fleeced Stanford for that much scratch.  And how can he question, with a straight face, the NIL (and other) compensation of athletes in his charge - which he has done - while pulling that kind of bank?

I would think anyone with a conscience would be embarrassed. Aren't you embarrassed Stanford paid its football coach that much money? I am.

[BostonCard]

Link, for the curious:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/...i=BB15ms5q

Shaw shouldn't be embarrassed, but Muir should be.

BC

Yes, Shaw should be embarrassed.  

And now it's clear why Shaw so adamantly protested disclosure of his compensation.  Because he is (rightfully) embarrassed that he fleeced Stanford for that much scratch.  And how can he question, with a straight face, the NIL (and other) compensation of athletes in his charge - which he has done - while pulling that kind of bank? 

I would think anyone with a conscience would be embarrassed.  Aren't you embarrassed Stanford paid its football coach that much money?  I am.

Yes, of course.  But if someone offered me $6.8 million/year to coach football, I would laugh all the way to the bank.  Good for him, or his agent, for negotiating himself a sweet package.  Bad for Muir and whomever else signed off on it for offering that much.

$6.8 million puts Shaw in the top-10 of football coaches, ahead of Lincold Riley, who has taken Oklahoma to the top-10 in each of his first four years as coach.  Much as I like Shaw, I don't think he's a top-10 football coach, and I don't think he's a better coach than Riley, or Ryan Day at tOSU, or a fair number of other coaches whose compensation is behind Shaw's.  But Shaw's job (or his agent) isn't to point that out to Muir, it's to negotiate as good a package as he can for himself, just as Harbaugh (or his agent) negotiated him the fourth best compensation package ($8 million/year) despite the fact that Harbaugh is not the fourth best coach in the country.

BC

[BostonCard]

Link, for the curious:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/...i=BB15ms5q

Shaw shouldn't be embarrassed, but Muir should be.

BC

Yes, Shaw should be embarrassed.  

And now it's clear why Shaw so adamantly protested disclosure of his compensation.  Because he is (rightfully) embarrassed that he fleeced Stanford for that much scratch.  And how can he question, with a straight face, the NIL (and other) compensation of athletes in his charge - which he has done - while pulling that kind of bank? 

I would think anyone with a conscience would be embarrassed.  Aren't you embarrassed Stanford paid its football coach that much money?  I am.

Yes, of course.  But if someone offered me $6.8 million/year to coach football, I would laugh all the way to the bank.  Good for him, or his agent, for negotiating himself a sweet package.  Bad for Muir and whomever else signed off on it for offering that much.

$6.8 million puts Shaw in the top-10 of football coaches, ahead of Lincold Riley, who has taken Oklahoma to the top-10 in each of his first four years as coach.  Much as I like Shaw, I don't think he's a top-10 football coach, and I don't think he's a better coach than Riley, or Ryan Day at tOSU, or a fair number of other coaches whose compensation is behind Shaw's.  But Shaw's job (or his agent) isn't to point that out to Muir, it's to negotiate as good a package as he can for himself, just as Harbaugh (or his agent) negotiated him the fourth best compensation package ($8 million/year) despite the fact that Harbaugh is not the fourth best coach in the country.

BC

[BillBradley]

I agree. Shaw's been successful and he has an agent, just like all the other coaches. What's he supposed to do - turn it down? 

Just curious  - what would be a "reasonable" amount of compensation where he (or Stanford alums) shouldn't feel embarrassed?   

[BillBradley]

I agree. Shaw's been successful and he has an agent, just like all the other coaches. What's he supposed to do - turn it down? 

Just curious  - what would be a "reasonable" amount of compensation where he (or Stanford alums) shouldn't feel embarrassed?   

[Phogge]

I believe in merit pay. $500,000 per win.

[Phogge]

I believe in merit pay. $500,000 per win.

[teejers1]

I agree. Shaw's been successful and he has an agent, just like all the other coaches. What's he supposed to do - turn it down? 

Just curious  - what would be a "reasonable" amount of compensation where he (or Stanford alums) shouldn't feel embarrassed?   

Since you asked (i) not ask for such ridiculous comp, and (ii) $3-$4M (more than enough to feed the family).  

Plus, the notion that Shaw would walk if not given more is an absolute JOKE!  That assumes (a) that there was ever anyone else interested in the guy (I've never bought that load - anybody doing diligence would see the flaws), and (b) that Shaw is an idiot (i.e., he would want another job) - he is not, and he has always understood was a good gig he has here.  No one ever questions what he does on game day or otherwise; no one holding him accountable for anything; no one really caring about the football program.  Plus, you "recruit" self-selectors to Stanford University and the number of 2:00 a.m. calls is de minimus.  Does it get any cushier than that for a football coach?

But of course, Stanford's Athletic Director hasn't a clue to figure that out . . . or worse yet, realized that and still signed the ridiculous extension/raise.

This is a complete outrage, and I suspect that all Cardboarders (posters and lurkers) - in their heart of hearts - agree that is is an outrage.  But few here are willing to say so on this forum . . . which only reinforces what a ridiculously cush racket Shaw is enjoying now.

[teejers1]

I agree. Shaw's been successful and he has an agent, just like all the other coaches. What's he supposed to do - turn it down? 

Just curious  - what would be a "reasonable" amount of compensation where he (or Stanford alums) shouldn't feel embarrassed?   

Since you asked (i) not ask for such ridiculous comp, and (ii) $3-$4M (more than enough to feed the family).  

Plus, the notion that Shaw would walk if not given more is an absolute JOKE!  That assumes (a) that there was ever anyone else interested in the guy (I've never bought that load - anybody doing diligence would see the flaws), and (b) that Shaw is an idiot (i.e., he would want another job) - he is not, and he has always understood was a good gig he has here.  No one ever questions what he does on game day or otherwise; no one holding him accountable for anything; no one really caring about the football program.  Plus, you "recruit" self-selectors to Stanford University and the number of 2:00 a.m. calls is de minimus.  Does it get any cushier than that for a football coach?

But of course, Stanford's Athletic Director hasn't a clue to figure that out . . . or worse yet, realized that and still signed the ridiculous extension/raise.

This is a complete outrage, and I suspect that all Cardboarders (posters and lurkers) - in their heart of hearts - agree that is is an outrage.  But few here are willing to say so on this forum . . . which only reinforces what a ridiculously cush racket Shaw is enjoying now.

[BostonCard]

I agree with you that the current contract overvalues Shaw.  That being said, Derick Mason was making $3.5 million at Vandy before getting fired, so I think your comps might be a bit stale, but $4 million puts him close to Patt Narduzzi at Pitt and Paul Chryst  at Wisconsin. (Source is USA Today’s database). Certainly more than enough to feed his family, and hardly insulting.

But I don’t know why Shaw should be embarrassed that his agent played Muir for a chump.  Listen, if I were to sell my house and a sucker were to overpay for it, I don’t know why I should feel embarrassed about it.

BC

[BostonCard]

I agree with you that the current contract overvalues Shaw.  That being said, Derick Mason was making $3.5 million at Vandy before getting fired, so I think your comps might be a bit stale, but $4 million puts him close to Patt Narduzzi at Pitt and Paul Chryst  at Wisconsin. (Source is USA Today’s database). Certainly more than enough to feed his family, and hardly insulting.

But I don’t know why Shaw should be embarrassed that his agent played Muir for a chump.  Listen, if I were to sell my house and a sucker were to overpay for it, I don’t know why I should feel embarrassed about it.

BC

[Goose]

Shaw occupies an endowed chair. I have no idea what the terms of the endowment are, others on this board may know much more. However, the large payout may have to do with the endowment producing lots of income that can only be used to pay the head coach. Naturally, the people who manage the endowment must ensure adequate value to continue it forward, but beyond that point it may be that they de facto have to spend  the income on the head coach.
From Muir's point of view, if he can't use the money for other purposes, giving it to Shaw is a very good strategy. Imagine the howl if Shaw did leave on his watch. It may be (probably is) that Shaw wouldn't quit if he made "only 4 million" a year, BUT if it really costs Muir nothing to pay him more, why not do so?

[Goose]

Shaw occupies an endowed chair. I have no idea what the terms of the endowment are, others on this board may know much more. However, the large payout may have to do with the endowment producing lots of income that can only be used to pay the head coach. Naturally, the people who manage the endowment must ensure adequate value to continue it forward, but beyond that point it may be that they de facto have to spend  the income on the head coach.
From Muir's point of view, if he can't use the money for other purposes, giving it to Shaw is a very good strategy. Imagine the howl if Shaw did leave on his watch. It may be (probably is) that Shaw wouldn't quit if he made "only 4 million" a year, BUT if it really costs Muir nothing to pay him more, why not do so?

[fullmetal]

I mean, there was a vocal minority of people hoping that Muir *would* fire Shaw lol.  Might have been a great way to reset the compensation level.  I was not among that number; I think Shaw is a good enough fit here, and I think he can improve and lead the team to better results...hopefully.

Anyway, I'm sure there are a number of undergrads from disadvantaged backgrounds or starving grad students who look at this number and think that the university doesn't care about them.  It's the perception of what the university values...and if the university values Shaw more than, I dunno, half a department's worth of faculty and students...I guess we are a football factory then.  Just not a very good one.

(That's the other thing--we're paying that much money for these results??)

I get it, allocated endowment funds, division of AD and university, etc etc.  It's just a terrible look.

[fullmetal]

I mean, there was a vocal minority of people hoping that Muir *would* fire Shaw lol.  Might have been a great way to reset the compensation level.  I was not among that number; I think Shaw is a good enough fit here, and I think he can improve and lead the team to better results...hopefully.

Anyway, I'm sure there are a number of undergrads from disadvantaged backgrounds or starving grad students who look at this number and think that the university doesn't care about them.  It's the perception of what the university values...and if the university values Shaw more than, I dunno, half a department's worth of faculty and students...I guess we are a football factory then.  Just not a very good one.

(That's the other thing--we're paying that much money for these results??)

I get it, allocated endowment funds, division of AD and university, etc etc.  It's just a terrible look.

[82lsju]

you can read the entire 990 here

https://bondholder-information.stanford....0_FY20.pdf

and the 2019 and 2018 form 990 are available here

https://bondholder-information.stanford....index.html

to see the Shaw info just search the docs for "shaw", of course some of the other highest paid list is also interesting by who is and is not in it.....

[82lsju]

you can read the entire 990 here

https://bondholder-information.stanford....0_FY20.pdf

and the 2019 and 2018 form 990 are available here

https://bondholder-information.stanford....index.html

to see the Shaw info just search the docs for "shaw", of course some of the other highest paid list is also interesting by who is and is not in it.....

[gailtate]

Considering that this site rivals (pun not intended) GoStanford.com insofar as boosterism is concerned, I don't expect much reader angst about Shaw's taking the money and running. I am mildly surprised, however, given "the hardships" the university has endured (boo-hoo) in these challenging times. Shaw, same as yours truly, seeks to make hay whilst the sun shines. And his buddy Bernie made him the proverbial offer he could not refuse. A Bernie-load of Benjamins.

[gailtate]

Considering that this site rivals (pun not intended) GoStanford.com insofar as boosterism is concerned, I don't expect much reader angst about Shaw's taking the money and running. I am mildly surprised, however, given "the hardships" the university has endured (boo-hoo) in these challenging times. Shaw, same as yours truly, seeks to make hay whilst the sun shines. And his buddy Bernie made him the proverbial offer he could not refuse. A Bernie-load of Benjamins.

[McKenwood]

Shaw's comp is way off the mark. This is Saban and Swinney money and those coaches are competing for the national championship every year. If Shaw were in this realm great. But he is not.

So we find another data point that Muir doesn't know what the heck he is doing. Overpaying a football coach by $3 million in an AD that just just endured a futile cost cutting exercise doesn't make anyone feel good about the leadership in the AD (or the University for that matter).

The story I hear is that Muir has given Shaw a lifetime contract at a very high number but is too embarrassed to announce it publicly after pleading poverty and axing 11 sports.

The long-term trends in the market (NCAA misgovernance, NIL, health issues) are moving away from how Stanford would like to operate its football program. I suspect Stanford will reach a large dollar settlement with Shaw in the next few years as Stanford goes in a different direction from the Clemsons and Alabamas of the world.

[McKenwood]

Shaw's comp is way off the mark. This is Saban and Swinney money and those coaches are competing for the national championship every year. If Shaw were in this realm great. But he is not.

So we find another data point that Muir doesn't know what the heck he is doing. Overpaying a football coach by $3 million in an AD that just just endured a futile cost cutting exercise doesn't make anyone feel good about the leadership in the AD (or the University for that matter).

The story I hear is that Muir has given Shaw a lifetime contract at a very high number but is too embarrassed to announce it publicly after pleading poverty and axing 11 sports.

The long-term trends in the market (NCAA misgovernance, NIL, health issues) are moving away from how Stanford would like to operate its football program. I suspect Stanford will reach a large dollar settlement with Shaw in the next few years as Stanford goes in a different direction from the Clemsons and Alabamas of the world.

[SamuelMcF]

A few thoughts besides AYFKM:

1. A massive salary bump for the guy already making $4m a year tells me Muir wants to/has the money to increasingly prioritize football (at the expense of, say, 11 other sports?) and clearly has no idea how to do it.

2. Could you imagine being one of the assistant coaches and realizing Shaw now likely makes 15-20x what you do?

3. That additional money could've and should've been spent in more critical places. Here are my suggestions with hypothetical yearly costs:
- Additional recruiting staff (ND now has a director of recruiting for each side of the ball) - $350k for another director and 2 more full-time recruiters to further comb through/identify recruits that we seem to miss year after year
- Additional analysts (Bama has TEN on staff including multiple former HCs) - $500k for 2 former HC/coordinators, 1 on each side of the ball (Chris Petersen would be my first call, FWIW)
- Increasing critical auxiliary assistant salaries (S&C, athletic trainers, graphic/video people, etc.) to attract and keep the best support staff here - 10% bump across the board depending on position and level
- Hiring an actual marketing/social media team, with summer internships for GSB/undergrad/standout area high schoolers, to actually appeal to the broader community and get asses in seats - $500k for a director and 4 associates, with another $50k for a few summer interns

Hypothetically Muir could've done all the above and STILL given Shaw a ~$1m pay bump.

And FWIW I hadn't heard "lifetime contract" but a significant extension.

[SamuelMcF]

A few thoughts besides AYFKM:

1. A massive salary bump for the guy already making $4m a year tells me Muir wants to/has the money to increasingly prioritize football (at the expense of, say, 11 other sports?) and clearly has no idea how to do it.

2. Could you imagine being one of the assistant coaches and realizing Shaw now likely makes 15-20x what you do?

3. That additional money could've and should've been spent in more critical places. Here are my suggestions with hypothetical yearly costs:
- Additional recruiting staff (ND now has a director of recruiting for each side of the ball) - $350k for another director and 2 more full-time recruiters to further comb through/identify recruits that we seem to miss year after year
- Additional analysts (Bama has TEN on staff including multiple former HCs) - $500k for 2 former HC/coordinators, 1 on each side of the ball (Chris Petersen would be my first call, FWIW)
- Increasing critical auxiliary assistant salaries (S&C, athletic trainers, graphic/video people, etc.) to attract and keep the best support staff here - 10% bump across the board depending on position and level
- Hiring an actual marketing/social media team, with summer internships for GSB/undergrad/standout area high schoolers, to actually appeal to the broader community and get asses in seats - $500k for a director and 4 associates, with another $50k for a few summer interns

Hypothetically Muir could've done all the above and STILL given Shaw a ~$1m pay bump.

And FWIW I hadn't heard "lifetime contract" but a significant extension.

[BobK]

Shaw's salary is endowned No clue if all or what, but endowned

[BobK]

Shaw's salary is endowned No clue if all or what, but endowned

[BostonCard]

Or, you know, he could have used the money to plug the massive budget deficit that prompted him to try to cut 11 sports.

I've agreed with those who have said that Muir should be replaced.  The failure to responsibly conserve resources by keeping salary expenses of the head football coach to a reasonable level are yet another indicator of this.

BC

[BostonCard]

Or, you know, he could have used the money to plug the massive budget deficit that prompted him to try to cut 11 sports.

I've agreed with those who have said that Muir should be replaced.  The failure to responsibly conserve resources by keeping salary expenses of the head football coach to a reasonable level are yet another indicator of this.

BC

[SamuelMcF]

Or, you know, he could have used the money to plug the massive budget deficit that prompted him to try to cut 11 sports.

I've agreed with those who have said that Muir should be replaced.  The failure to responsibly conserve resources by keeping salary expenses of the head football coach to a reasonable level are yet another indicator of this.

BC

I'm pretty certain the decision to cut 11 sports was made higher up the chain than Muir (and had way less to do with the budget than claimed), but he still handled the situation poorly.

[SamuelMcF]

Or, you know, he could have used the money to plug the massive budget deficit that prompted him to try to cut 11 sports.

I've agreed with those who have said that Muir should be replaced.  The failure to responsibly conserve resources by keeping salary expenses of the head football coach to a reasonable level are yet another indicator of this.

BC

I'm pretty certain the decision to cut 11 sports was made higher up the chain than Muir (and had way less to do with the budget than claimed), but he still handled the situation poorly.

[Phogge]

I’m not an alum, just a 70 year fan who once made some films for Cavalli and Rose.

I find now that IJDGAF about college football with all that is going on. Similarly I stopped watching college basketball when the best players quit after a year. Aging, health, pandemic, political chaos has intruded. Hopefully Stanford wins but no big deal if they don’t.

Everybody posting against Shaw’s package should immediately stop financing the department and write a letter to the president and the board of trustees expressing anger. I doubt that the president reads this site. Speak up guys.

[Phogge]

I’m not an alum, just a 70 year fan who once made some films for Cavalli and Rose.

I find now that IJDGAF about college football with all that is going on. Similarly I stopped watching college basketball when the best players quit after a year. Aging, health, pandemic, political chaos has intruded. Hopefully Stanford wins but no big deal if they don’t.

Everybody posting against Shaw’s package should immediately stop financing the department and write a letter to the president and the board of trustees expressing anger. I doubt that the president reads this site. Speak up guys.

[BillBradley]

I think there's far more to this than any of us really know. I would venture a guess that risk management is a big factor in his comp. In other sports, unethical behavior, cheating, etc. will slightly dent the Stanford reputation. Muir won't lose his job if the fencing coach does something stupid. If the Stanford head football coach does something stupid, it puts the university alongside the USC's of the world. What's the cost of tarnishing the Stanford reputation? Likely many times $8M. Shaw is a perfect fit. He's won 70+% of his games, is well spoken, professional, politically correct, and squeaky clean. Muir and his higher-ups can sleep well at night knowing Shaw is at the helm. They will pay dearly to keep him. I agree - from the fan/alum point of view it's egregious, but from the administration point of view it's probably money well spent.

[BillBradley]

I think there's far more to this than any of us really know. I would venture a guess that risk management is a big factor in his comp. In other sports, unethical behavior, cheating, etc. will slightly dent the Stanford reputation. Muir won't lose his job if the fencing coach does something stupid. If the Stanford head football coach does something stupid, it puts the university alongside the USC's of the world. What's the cost of tarnishing the Stanford reputation? Likely many times $8M. Shaw is a perfect fit. He's won 70+% of his games, is well spoken, professional, politically correct, and squeaky clean. Muir and his higher-ups can sleep well at night knowing Shaw is at the helm. They will pay dearly to keep him. I agree - from the fan/alum point of view it's egregious, but from the administration point of view it's probably money well spent.

[Farm93]

I am an alum.  Not embarrassed at all.   

For decades, yes decades, other football programs (pro and college) would see a good Stanford coach have great confidence that they could just pay something close to the prevailing wage and hire the person away.   That reality then led many recruits to wonder if going to Stanford was best, especially if they liked the head coach.   So oddly a big contract probably is a good sign for top tier recruits.

In terms of comps, does anyone really believe coaching at Oklahoma, Texas, Florida or tOSU is comparable to the challenges of coaching football at Stanford.   The university is a dream school for academically inclined types, but there are a lot of football players that are more motivated by bling and glamour.   The last 50 years suggests it has been a touch easier to get to 7 or more wins per year at a football factory than at places like Stanford, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Duke. etc. 

FWIW - As we don't have access to his contract imagine for a moment there was/is a performance metric.  Should Coach Shaw win a Rose Bowl his compensation for the next several years will be in line with the other coaches have won one or more BCS bowls.   Most of the coaches that have won one or more BCS/NY6 bowls in the last several years are all now making $5 million or more per year which is right in line with Coach Shaw's salary.

College Football Coach Salaries

[Farm93]

I am an alum.  Not embarrassed at all.   

For decades, yes decades, other football programs (pro and college) would see a good Stanford coach have great confidence that they could just pay something close to the prevailing wage and hire the person away.   That reality then led many recruits to wonder if going to Stanford was best, especially if they liked the head coach.   So oddly a big contract probably is a good sign for top tier recruits.

In terms of comps, does anyone really believe coaching at Oklahoma, Texas, Florida or tOSU is comparable to the challenges of coaching football at Stanford.   The university is a dream school for academically inclined types, but there are a lot of football players that are more motivated by bling and glamour.   The last 50 years suggests it has been a touch easier to get to 7 or more wins per year at a football factory than at places like Stanford, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Duke. etc. 

FWIW - As we don't have access to his contract imagine for a moment there was/is a performance metric.  Should Coach Shaw win a Rose Bowl his compensation for the next several years will be in line with the other coaches have won one or more BCS bowls.   Most of the coaches that have won one or more BCS/NY6 bowls in the last several years are all now making $5 million or more per year which is right in line with Coach Shaw's salary.

College Football Coach Salaries