Don James, who resigned Sunday as University of Washington football coach, criticized the Washington administration for wanting to save television money at the expense of the players. The Pac-10 agreed to a reduction in the television-revenue penalty but added a second year of a bowl ban, prompting James to quit.
“The bowl is not the issue,” James said. “It’s the opportunity to compete for a championship.”
James may have given up as much as $530,000 in yearly salary and outside income when he resigned.
James was getting a salary of $161,000. In relinquishing his coaching job, James also gave up the $163,000 a year he was getting to appear on Husky TV and radio programs. He won’t get his share of a $35,000 shoe contract or be paid $1,000 for each televised game he wears a manufacturer’s hat.
“Those are all now moot,” university spokesman Norm Arkans said.
James was scheduled to receive about $100,000 for speeches and public appearances this year from a group of boosters. Akrans said it was not clear whether that arrangement would be affected.
