Jim Calhoun Salary Questioned by Ken Krayeske at Press Conference

by Jon Azpiri | February 23, 2009 at 11:06 am

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University of Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun had a testy interview with freelance reporter Ken Krayeske after a recent home game. Krayeske repeatedly asked Calhoun about his $1.6 million salary, which makes him the highest paid state employee in Connecticut.

After Saturday's game, Krayeske asked Calhoun about his salary and whether he considered it fair since the state faces a $1 billion deficit.

Calhoun half-jokingly responded that the state will get "not a dime back."

Krayeske persisted setting off a classic Jim Calhoun rant.

“It has nothing to do with state funds,” he said. “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. We turned over $12 million to the University of Connecticut, which is state-run.”

Other reporters at the press conference seemed frustrated by Krayeske not because of his questions, but because of his timing. Post-game press conferences are generally reserved for questions directly pertaining to the game that has just taken place. More in-depth questions usually take place at other times.

The UConn spokesman claims that Krayeske got his press credential under false pretenses.

According to UConn spokesman Kyle Muncy, Krayeske was duplicitous in securing a media credential to the game. Muncy said when making the request that Krayeske said he was doing a story on UConn basketball and had noticed that his photo file was not up to date.

This isn't Krayeske's first incident of rabble-rousing. Over a year ago, he was arrested at Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell’s inaugural parade.

You can view the Jim Calhoun press conference here. Click here if you want to check out another Jim Calhoun rant.