Its actually football coaches at big universities that make all the money. Median salary is over a million dollars last I saw. The academic salaries are much more reasonable. Mostly in the 100-200K range for upper level profs and administrators.
What has never been properly explained to me is the utility of winning football teams to universities. I really would like to hear about that.
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122853304793584959.html?mod=...
If you want to be successful in business, you most definitely need a good CEO...etc.