Toledo Is Hoping to Earn His Keep

As salaries escalate around him, Bob Toledo faces the possibility that the next USC coach could earn twice as much as he does.

Washington’s Rick Neuheisel reportedly earns $1 million a year. Oregon’s Mike Bellotti and Oregon State’s Dennis Erickson recently agreed to contract extensions under which each could make as much as $7 million over seven years. USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett has indicated his next coach could become a millionaire too.

Toledo has a 35-22 record in five seasons at UCLA, including three bowl berths. He earns $578,000 a year.

“I have great faith in our administration,” Toledo said. “I think they’ll keep me very competitive with the top people in this conference. I don’t know if they’ll give me a million dollars, but they’ll do what’s right.”

Toledo said Oklahoma officials called two years ago and asked whether he would be interested in coaching the Sooners at $850,000 a year. He declined to pursue the job. Oklahoma hired Bob Stoops and, during this undefeated season, rewarded him with a new contract at $1.4 million a year.

“I’d always like to be paid whatever is fair and whatever is the going rate, but quality of life is the most important thing to me,” Toledo said. “I enjoy being here. I love UCLA. I love what it stands for. I love the people. And I really enjoy coaching these kids. I don’t have any desire to go anywhere else.”