I guess some mistakes you never stop paying for.
Leading off
The USA Today annual database of coaches salaries, which was released Wednesday, always draws plenty of debate. Coach "X" is overpaid. Coach "Y" is underpaid. Whatever your stance, one thing is for sure ... coaches salaries are at an all-time high. And thus, the expectations are equally high.
Here’s how things shape up for the Pac-12 coaches, based on total compensation.
Chris Petersen, Washington, $3,681, 720
Rich Rodriguez, Arizona, 3,298,500
Jim Mora, UCLA, $3,250,000
Mike Leach, Washington State, $2,750,000
Todd Graham, Arizona State, $2,702,960
Kyle Whittingham, Utah, $2,200,000
David Shaw, Stanford, $2,012,666
Mike MacIntyre, Colorado, $2,010,150
Mark Helfrich, Oregon, $2,000,000
Sonny Dykes, Cal, $1,808,000
Mike Riley, Oregon State, $1,510,008
Steve Sarkisian, USC, N/A
When talking to some coaches last February for a story about potential coaching changes in the future, a few of them expressed to me that the main reason coaches only get three years now is the salaries. It used to be a coach would get at least four years -- one full recruiting cycle -- to turn a program around. Yet schools also have to spend the money to attract coaches, especially rebuilding projects. With the pressure to produce immediate results, it stands to reason that the heat gets turned up after Year 2 or 3. For now, it looks like everyone in the Pac-12 is reasonably happy with their coach, so it's unlikely we see any unforced moves in the offseason.
Player of the Year
The 15 semifinalists for the Walter Camp Award, given annually to the top player in college football, were released Wednesday with three Pac-12 players on the list.
J.T. Barrett, RS Freshman, QB, Ohio State
Trevon Boykin, Junior, QB, TCU
Rakeem Cato, Senior, QB, Marshall
Amari Cooper, Junior, WR, Alabama
Melvin Gordon, Junior, RB, Wisconsin
Rashard Higgins, Sophomore, WR, Colorado State
Gerod Holliman, Sophomore, DB, Louisville
Duke Johnson, Junior, RB, Miama (FLA)
Marcus Mariota, Junior, QB, Oregon
Bryce Petty, Senior, QB, Baylor
Dak Prescott, Junior, QB, Mississippi State
Blake Sims, Senior, QB, Alabama
Shaq Thompson, Junior, LB/RB, Washington
Jameis Winston, Sophomore, QB, Florida State
Scooby Wright, Sophomore, LB, Arizona
Not to be overshadowed, the 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation's top running back, was also released Wednesday. USC's Buck Allen was the only Pac-12 player named a semifinalist.
News/notes/team reports
A nice video segment on Anu Solomon.
Passionate Jaelen Strong wanted back in the game Saturday nigh.
Are you a Cal fan that isn't fired up yet for the Big Game? Try this.
Colorado bracing for Marcus Mariota.
A Q&A with Oregon freshman Glen Ihenacho.
An Oregon State practice report.
Kevin Hogan isn't ready to talk yet about a possible jump to the NFL.
Takkarist McKinley’s path to the Bruins motivated by his late grandmother.
Josh Shaw was back at practice for the Trojans.
A tough break for Utah's defense as they'll miss Gionni Paul for the rest of the year.
Chris Petersen isn't alone in having a clock-management chart.
Breaking down the ASU-WSU matchup.
Just for fun
If you watch one video of a punter pinning opponents inside the 10 today, make it this one.
Here's injured Buffalo Bills linebacker and former Duck Kiko Alonso chillin in some snow, because, well, why not?
Some more Big Game motivation.