The highest paid University (and State) employee is head football coach Tim Beckman. Of the $3.4 billion spent by the University on employee compensation, his salary makes up $1.8 million.

Beckman’s struggles since taking over at the University are well-documented. The crowd of people calling for Beckman’s job are growing louder and louder. If Beckman were fired, it would mean most, if not all, of his staff would also lose their jobs.

In The Daily Illini Salary Guide, we show that it would cost the University $1.77 million to buy out the contracts of the football staff.

On Saturday, Beckman won just the second Big Ten game of his three-season tenure at Illinois, his first at Memorial Stadium. If the football season continues the way it started and Beckman is unable to win the two more games necessary to make a bowl game, it may be time to look for a replacement.

Illinois fans deserve better, and we think the $1.77 million would be well spent. It’s a small price to pay to rid the University of a losing culture, and it will pay itself off in the end.

The atmosphere at Memorial Stadium on Saturday was more enthusiastic than it has been before during Beckman’s tour. The fans were having fun, staying until the end to see the Illini come out on top — something we, unfortunately, don’t see as often these days. Crowds of people stayed after the game, tailgating, going to bars and restaurants and spending money.

The hotel, food, drink, tailgate and apparel sales are worth more than $1.77 million to the community when the Illini are good. Ticket sales, apparel, memorabilia and concession sales will help make up the $1.77 million if the Illini are able to consistently attract fans.

Additionally, the buyouts are significantly less than at many other schools. During the 2011-12 academic year, the Illini fired both basketball coaches and the football coach and were forced to pay hefty buyouts for years. The contracts are structured for buyouts that are significantly reduced this time, a clear example of athletic director Mike Thomas learning from the past.

We applaud him for making the buyouts lower, so the financials won’t cause too much of a strain on the athletic department if Beckman is fired.

We are not rooting against Beckman. We would like for him to have success. But if he isn’t able to turn this season around, letting him go would be $1.77 million well spent.