I've read several comments about Dabo making 10 million bucks a year and not wanting the players to earn money and how selfish that is of him. I've read comments where he should take a couple of million dollars of his salary and give it to the Clemson collective. (Note, this isn't limited to Dabo. I've heard the same things said about Norvell and Saban and Harbaugh, et. al.)
Well, here's the difference. It's what I call "The Simple Secret of Success."
It's as simple as CPR. 1. Count the cost 2. Pay the price 3. Reap the reward
Dabo counted the cost. He didn't demand anything. He didn't say he was entitled to anything before earning it.
He paid the price. He was a walk on at Bama. He came from a dysfunctional family. He lived in an apartment with his mother while at college. He was a grad assistant. He gave up a lucrative career in real estate to take the high risk of going back into coaching. He took over the Clemson job under extremely dire circumstances. His chance for success was virtually zero. But, he worked. Worked hard. Persevered. Continued to work. He wan't given a 7 figure salary when Terry Don named him interim. He wasn't given that salary after he won the first national championship. He kept working. He kept succeeding.
And, now he is reaping the reward. A well deserved reward. A well earned reward.
See, the secret to success is reaping the reward. But, you don't reap the reward until AFTER you pay the price.