Coaches aren't exempt from furlough programs - Steve Berkowitz, USA TODAY

The economic downturn is becoming a leveling force between some NCAA Division I athletics departments and their universities at-large. Arizona State, Clemson, Maryland and Utah State are in the middle of mandatory furlough programs that apply to all school personnel, including coaches.And Harvard on Tuesday will begin offering buyouts to roughly 10% of its 16,000 non-faculty employees, including those in athletics who meet the eligibility criteria. The furlough rules are being carried out in different ways — for example, coaches are not always being forced to stay away from the workplace while on a furlough day — but each is resulting in salary losses for athletics employees as the universities attempt to make up for large budget shortfalls or cuts in state funding.