Pay Gap Between Coaches, Teachers Detailed

By Kathleen Kennedy Manzo

A new survey showing that top-division interscholastic football coaches in Texas are paid, on average, nearly 75 percent more than teachers has ignited debate across a state where high school football enjoys enormous community support.

The recent review of salaries by The Associated Press found average pay for the top-tier football coaches is $54,000, compared with $31,000 for teachers.

"It says that school boards in a lot of places place more value on athletics than academics," Richard C. Kouri, the president of the Texas State Teachers...