Who Are Connecticut’s Highest Paid State Employees

Neither Kevin Ollie or Geno Auriemma was Connecticut’s highest paid state employee last year. That rank belongs to former UConn football coach Robert Diaco who made $3.4 million.

Diaco was fired effectively near the beginning of 2017 and was paid the money as a buyout. He would’ve been paid $5 million if he were fired just days earlier.

Former UConn men's basketball coach Kevin Ollie made $2.8 million and women's coach Auriemma made $2.05 million.

That isn’t unusual across the country. In 39 states the highest paid state employee is either a football or men’s basketball coach.

After that the next 13 highest paid state employees work as UConn Health faculty. In total 21 employees make over $500,000 a year.

2018 is shaping up a little differently so far with Auriemma making $1.05 million for the top spot. Ollie was fired in March for “just cause” which he is contesting.

Connecticut’s total payroll was $4.57 billion in 2017. In 2016 total payroll was $4.71 billion and in 2015 it was $4.76 billion.

Below are the top 10 highest paid employees in 2017

1. Robert Diaco: $3.4 million
2. Kevin Ollie: $2.8 million
3. Geno Auriemma: $2.05 million
4. Hanspaul Makkar UCHC Faculty: $1.33 million
5. James Whalen UCHC Faculty: $1.16 million
6. Hilary Onyiuke UCHC Faculty: $982,410
7. Isaac Moss UCHC Faculty: $830,370
8. Augustus Mazzocca UCHC Faculty: $712,340
9. Roy Beebe UCHC Faculty: $674,520
10. John Nulsen UCHC Faculty: $674,480

Check out the full list here.

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