Former Indiana men's basketball coach Tom Crean remains the highest paid state employee in Indiana, despite no longer working for the state.
In 2016, Crean earned a base salary of $604,858. With benefits, he made more than $3.1 million last year, making him the eighth highest paid NCAA basketball coach in the country, according to USA Today's annual NCAA salary report.
This week, IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass announced Crean's dismissalfrom the university after nine seasons.
Although Crean is being let go, he'll remain the highest paid employee in the state for now. His contract states he will be paid a buyout of $4 million over the next three years until the contract is up. If Crean accepts a comparable job, IU will offset his salary.
Crean's tenure at IU had high and low moments. He captured two Big Ten titles, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen three times and held onto a number one ranking for eleven weeks during the 2012-2013 season. Each of the seniors that played for Crean at IU earned their degree while his teams received high academic progress rate marks nationally.
Joe Hren contributed to this story.