By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Think the salary structure for college sports isn't out of whack? Check out Billy Gillispie's good fortune.

Gillispie parlayed a successful three years as Texas A&M's basketball coach in the Big 12 into leading the prized program at the University of Kentucky.

But by early 2009, he had been pushed out after two mediocre years and an un-Kentucky-like record of 40-27.

So Gillispie did what most people seem to do these days: He sued.

Even though he never signed a contract with the university, and worked under a memorandum of understanding, Gillispie claimed he was owed up to $6 million.

This week, the university announced it had settled for $3 million.

What a shameful amount of money for Gillispie to receive. And what a shameful amount for the university to give up for a basketball coach.

While Gillispie will get all that money for not working at Kentucky, that's not all the good news.

According to The Associated Press:

Gillispie's attorney, Demetrios Anaipakos of Houston, said Tuesday night that Gillispie was glad to have the case settled. "He looks forward to coaching basketball again soon," Anaipakos, who was in Houston, said in a telephone call to The Associated Press.

Naturally, Kentucky had to hire someone to replace Gillispie. So it went to Memphis to steal head coach John Calipari.

His contract will pay him nearly $4 million a year for the next eight years at Kentucky. Assuming, that is, he lasts the full term.

If he doesn't, though, I'm sure a lawsuit will be right around the corner.