Reaction, not Calhoun, embarrassing

Update: Connecticut politicians are now calling for punishment of UConn men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun.

Another day, another non-NFL post — this one also about sports media.

Because I’m at work, I’ll refer to the most recent The Associated Press story to explain the situation that interests me:

Krayeske, a freelancer and political activist, attended the game on a photo press pass and asked the first question of the coach's postgame news conference following a 64-50 win over South Florida. He asked why the coach of a public university was making $1.6 million while the state has a $944 million deficit and a projected $8 billion shortfall over the next two years.

Calhoun first responded with a joke, then grew angry as Krayeske continued the line of questioning.

"My best advice to you is, shut up," Calhoun said.

"Quite frankly, we bring in $12 million to the university, nothing to do with state funds," Calhoun shouted. "We make $12 million a year for this university. Get some facts and come back and see me. ... Don't throw out salaries and other things."

Calhoun has won two national titles at UConn. He is the state's highest-paid employee and is set to make $1.6 million in 2009-10, the final year of his contract.

I’ll also direct you to Hartford Courant columnist Jeff Jacobs’ look at the story (and more importantly, the video of Calhoun's response at the press conference).

I’ll try to make my points short and sweet.

1. Like Jacobs, I feel the question was fair but more appropriate for a different setting. Calhoun is provided to the media by the school at a postgame press conference to answer questions about UConn’s latest win, and not about his salary. If a non-sports topic (such as his salary) was previously in the news, and the subject hadn't publicly addressed it yet, I would be OK with the question in such an environment. Asking the question in this case, however, is rude to the reporters present who are facing a nightly deadline and looking for quotes about the game they just covered.

2. Calhoun certainly could have replied “No comment” and avoided any scene, but I don’t feel his response was inappropriate. He answered the question, and then accused the photographer of not understandings all the facts — i.e. Calhoun brings a significant amount of money to the school, and by extension the state of Connecticut. (It’s also worth noting that Calhoun’s claim that the men’s basketball program brings in $12 million is based on revenue, not profit. The Hartford Courant reports the team spends at least $6.1 million.)

3. The video wasn’t even remotely outrageous. Connecticut governor M. Jodi Rell said, “I think if Coach Calhoun had the opportunity right now, he would welcome a do-over and not have that embarrassing display from last week.” Maybe my perspective has changed because Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy’s infamous rant came only last year, but I expect my “embarrassing” displays to be, well, embarrassing.