It's not the same as the $7.2 million Mike Krzyzewski makes as the head coach of Duke Basketball.

It's nowhere near the $5.4 milliion Nick Saban makes as the head coach of Alabama Football.

But the $350,000 Patty Gasso now makes as the head coach of Oklahoma softball is an eye-popping number in the world of college softball.

It's believed to be the highest figure for a head coach in college softball. But according to University of Oklahoma director of athletics Joe Castiglione, the message of Gasso's contract is the same message Duke is sending by going to such great lengths to pay their superstar head coach.

Does Krzyzewski make that much money because of just wins and losses? No.

Coach K is an institution, a beacon. He defines college basketball like no other. He's worth more than his weight in gold to Duke University because of the way he's raised the profile of a university, a sport, a region.

Castiglione believes Gasso holds that same sway for the world of college softball. He believes Oklahoma bares the new standard of the sport after garnering its second national championship under Gasso this season.

"The program has become an inspiration and a role model for others," explained Castiglione in a recent interview with SoonerScoop.com. "Whether it's just joining in and supporting and being part of the games on an annual basis or for young girls to aspire and be a part of Oklahoma's softball tradition.

"It has absolutely increased the popularity of youth sports softball in this region."

Comparing Gasso's contract to Saban or even Bob Stoops is comical. But comparing Gasso's salary to other coaches in the sport is almost as striking.

As OU baseball fans know, Auburn University recently went on a hiring spree. Not only did they snag Sunny Golloway away from Oklahoma, but they also hired two-time national championship coach Clint Myers away from Arizona State.

A Sun Devil team that just made the trip to OKC for the WCWS this year.

What did it cost Auburn to steal away one of the top softball coaches in the country? A reported $180,000 a year.

Is Gasso a solid business decision at $350,000 per season? Will she drive in that much revenue to the OU softball program each year? No. But Castiglione knows you can't put a price on what Gasso means to the university, or the sport itself.

"It was much more than a monetary evaluation," he said. "That's part of it, but Patty has become a coach that has not just garnered national attention, but really has reached some hearts of people, not just throughout Oklahoma, but through this region and nationally.

"People watch what we're doing and more importantly watch how we're doing it and that's worth a lot more than we can cobble together for compensation. We really believe it was a much bigger decision for us."

Want some more eye-popping numbers, Gasso's contract runs through the 2018 season. With increases and bonuses, Gasso could reach a yearly $600,000 salary.

Castiglione takes great pride in being a part of a handful of self-sustaining athletic departments in the country. But this decision wasn't as much about the bottom line as it was the crown jewel.

Duke has Krzyzewski, Alabama has Saban and Castiglione made sure Oklahoma has Gasso.

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