[DC 86]

I presume it was fairly negotiated, which by definition makes his salary the fair market value for his services.

It's well established that Shaw is highly regarded by NFL teams and particularly during the Rose Bowl years he was frequently cited as being a prime candidate for openings in the league if he was interested. I assume that this leverage (and effective representation by Octagon) is the basis for his compensation, not pure generosity on the part of the University.

It's also well established that Shaw had ZERO interest in the NFL, EVER (and as such was not actually "leverage"), and that high regard is waning.

Not at his income level.  it's a low-pressure gig.  Alums and the media are easier on the Stanford football coach than just about anywhere else in football, college or pro.  I can't imagine why he would want to go to the NFL.

We're not talking about his current situation. In 2012 Shaw's base salary was $1.175 million (total compensation ~ $2 mm), Stanford had just won the Rose Bowl and his record as head coach was 23-4. At this point his pay was doubled. Stanford then went 31-10 over the next three years culminating in another Rose Bowl victory and a final #3 ranking in the AP. This is when he had serious NFL leverage and when his performance justified the contract revisions that he received. Now in 2021 his compensation is exorbitant, but his contract wasn't negotiated during this down period. Of course he loves his situation and never wanted to go to the NFL but there was period where he was a "hot" coach and the disparity between his Stanford compensation and NFL head coach salaries was enormous, motivating Stanford to move preemptively to retain him.

[DC 86]

I presume it was fairly negotiated, which by definition makes his salary the fair market value for his services.

It's well established that Shaw is highly regarded by NFL teams and particularly during the Rose Bowl years he was frequently cited as being a prime candidate for openings in the league if he was interested. I assume that this leverage (and effective representation by Octagon) is the basis for his compensation, not pure generosity on the part of the University.

It's also well established that Shaw had ZERO interest in the NFL, EVER (and as such was not actually "leverage"), and that high regard is waning.

Not at his income level.  it's a low-pressure gig.  Alums and the media are easier on the Stanford football coach than just about anywhere else in football, college or pro.  I can't imagine why he would want to go to the NFL.

We're not talking about his current situation. In 2012 Shaw's base salary was $1.175 million (total compensation ~ $2 mm), Stanford had just won the Rose Bowl and his record as head coach was 23-4. At this point his pay was doubled. Stanford then went 31-10 over the next three years culminating in another Rose Bowl victory and a final #3 ranking in the AP. This is when he had serious NFL leverage and when his performance justified the contract revisions that he received. Now in 2021 his compensation is exorbitant, but his contract wasn't negotiated during this down period. Of course he loves his situation and never wanted to go to the NFL but there was period where he was a "hot" coach and the disparity between his Stanford compensation and NFL head coach salaries was enormous, motivating Stanford to move preemptively to retain him.