Think all NIU coaches are living the good life?

Think again.

While the high profile sports at NIU (football and basketball) reward coaches with high salaries, there is a significant dropoff in salary for the lower-profile coaches.

“The salaries are more or less market-driven,” said Eddie Williams, of Finance and Facilities. “They are comparative at other universities and other MAC schools.”

Between women’s basketball coach Carol Hammerle, men’s basketball coach Rob Judson and football coach Joe Novak, the big three average $129,260 annually.

The other sports, which include men’s and women’s soccer, wrestling, softball, women’s track and field, men’s and women’s tennis and women’s gymnastics, average $42,009.

While Judson only is in his second year as head coach, he is the highest-paid coach receiving $148,992, while men’s tennis coach Steve Rodecap is at the other end of the spectrum as the lowest paid coach receiving $29,460.

Of the coaches at NIU, Judson was the only one to get a raise from last year to this year.

Before his contract wasn’t renewed this year, Willy Roy, who was the longest tenured head coach at NIU with 16 seasons, made $54,600 this year.

Baseball, men’s golf and volleyball teams, all who had new coaches this season, did not have their salaries on file..