Arizona Wildcats coaches take pay cut as university takes hit from virus

The University of Arizona announced Wednesday that its athletics head coaches would be part of a pay reduction plan as the school feels the financial impact of coronavirus-caused shutdowns.

In a statement from the athletic department, the Wildcats said senior leadership and all head coaches would take salary reductions.

Athletic director Dave Heeke, women’s basketball coach Adia Barnes, men’s basketball coach Sean Miller, football coach Kevin Sumlin and baseball coach Jay Johnson “voluntarily offered to take 20 percent salary reductions,” although the school said the salary reductions of coaches and leadership would be consistent with a university plan that called for such reductions anyway.

In a memo sent to employees on April 17, university president Robert Robbins described the school’s financial losses, stating that Arizona expects to lose over $66 million by the end of the fiscal year and total shortfall projections to be $250 million.

That same memo outlined salary reductions that were proposed to the Arizona Board of Regents wherein employees’ reduction in pay was dependent on what their salary normally is. Those making $200,000 or more were subject to a 20% salary reduction.

The memo said the pay reduction will take place from May 11 and run through June 30, generating a savings of about $93 million.

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