Mizzou’s Sterk, Drinkwitz, Martin and other coaches take temporary salary reductions
Multiple Missouri coaches and athletic director Jim Sterk will voluntarily accept salary reductions, the school announced on Thursday night.
Missouri football coach Eliah Drinkwitz, men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin, women’s basketball coach Robin Pingeton, baseball coach Steve Bieser and wrestling coach Brian Smith are the five coaches taking part in the temporary salary reductions.
About 20 staff and coaches in the Missouri athletic department were asked to participate in the temporary salary cuts similar to what other university leaders took, according to an MU spokesperson. Those others have until April 21 to decide. The cuts will be from May 1 to July 31 and will be a 10% decrease.
“In the wake of the unprecedented challenges the University of Missouri, our state and nation are facing, collectively we believed it was important to step forward and support President (Mun) Choi and other University leaders at this time,” Sterk said in a release. “As leaders, I believe it is important that we lead by example, especially in times of crisis, and this is one way that we can demonstrate that.
“Part of our Win it Right culture includes togetherness, and I appreciate Eliah, Cuonzo, Robin, Brian and Steve’s unselfishness and willingness to step forward in these difficult times to voluntarily give up a part of their compensation,” Sterk said. “All five of them have impeccable character and understand the role that they play as leaders on our campus.”
As part of cost-cutting measures, Missouri president Choi announced on Tuesday he and other high-ranking officials were going to take a 10% salary decrease from May 1 to July 31. Those university officials included vice presidents, chancellors, cabinet members and the deans at the four UM universities in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St. Louis. Choi’s annual salary is $530,000. He’s currently also serving as interim chancellor after Alexander Cartwright left to become the president of Central Florida.
Sterk makes a $700,000 salary as part of a seven-year contract. Drinkwitz signed a six-year contract when Mizzou hired him in December, which pays him an annual salary of $4 million. Martin’s seven-year contract averages to $3 million per year. Pingeton’s base salary is set at $400,000 per year. Bieser’s annual salary is $400,000, up from $300,000 when he received a contract extension and raise in January. Smith makes a $300,000 annual salary.
Other major conference programs around the country have enacted similar cost-saving measures. Iowa State instituted temporary pay reductions, including suspending benefits and incentives for coaches, among other changes. Washington State announced 5% salary cuts for its football and men’s basketball coaches, along with its athletic director.