Columnist Ron Kantowski: Robinson cashes in

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001 | 9:47 a.m.

Ron Kantowski's column usually appears Thursday. Reach him at ron@lasvegassun.com or 259-4088.

According to British fashion designer Mary Quant, "Having money is rather like being a blonde. It is more fun, but not vital."

Quick -- somebody grab that bottle of peroxide from John Robinson.

With an annual salary of $500,000, plus incentives and perks that include a pair of automobiles equipped with the kind of fine, Corinthian leather that Ricardo Montalban was so fond of, the UNLV football coach has vaulted to No. 1 with a bullet -- make that a shotgun shell -- on the Rebels' coaching salary list, according to information obtained from the university.

Robinson, who in two-plus seasons has turned the Rebels from perennial doormat into Las Vegas Bowl champion, will need an even fatter wallet in January, when he adds the title of UNLV athletic director to his job description.

So, ultimately, he will be the one to determine if the coaches named on these charts are deserving of the salaries, income supplements and automobiles listed alongside their names.

However, we're here to help. Following is one man opinion's of the relative worth of the UNLV head coaching staff, based on each's salary (in comparison to one another) and past and present job performance, with a heavy emphasis on the latter.

Any professional relationships between the columnist and coach -- and a coach's accessibility and/or "quoteworthiness" -- were not considered. If they were, I'd be recommending Fred Dallimore for a raise, and he retired as UNLV baseball coach six years years ago.

Worth every penny

Underpaid

Overpaid

Free parking