All good in theory, until you're on the wrong end of musical coaching chairs.
Coaches are getting what they're getting as there aren't a slew of next-level guys just waiting around to jump ship wherever they're at to go to the University of (blank).
Look at Florida and their huge athletic budget over the years. What have they done since Urban Meyer pulled up his stakes and left; Meyer and up-and-comer because of success at Utah and hardly a next-level guy or proven name who made his name in Gainesville.
Threw money at former Texas head-coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp, who turned out to be an overrated ****. Settled on Jim McElwain and his Alabama offensive success, plus two years turning lowly Colorado State around. Another whiff of a hire. Also settled on Dan Mullen because of his tenure with Meyer and decent success at Mississippi State, but hardly a next-level guy.
All that off-season chatter when they too thought they were going to get a Jon Gruden, thought Bob Stoops was coming back at some point, or that they would lure Chris Peterson away from Boise State before he went to Washington. None ever came close to happening.
Oklahoma settles on Lincoln Riley when Stoops steps down; a 39-year old, two-year coordinator. Ohio State settles on Ryan Day after Meyer leaves; another young, inexperienced coordinator. Oregon has an assload of money but locks down Mario Cristobal after Willie Taggart; (Cristobal getting $2.5M but one of the best bonus plans in the game at around $1.9M). Meanwhile Florida State can't do any better than Taggart when Fisher left—despite being five years removed from a national title at the time?
What about Tennessee's post-Fulmer disaster; overpaying Lane Kiffin, Derek Dooley and Butch Jones—throwing big money at anyone they think is the next big thing; just like they did again with Jeremy Pruitt.
Fans always think the next-big-name is just a "blank check" away from jumping to their school, but it doesn't work out that way. More guys like Peterson, who stayed put at Boise State until a dream job came in Washington (his dad a Huskies fan an him spending his youth on the Pacific Northwest). Gary Patterson stayed at TCU despite constant overtures to leave. Matt Campbell is hanging around Iowa State, hoping his star doesn't fade before a big job comes calling.
Fact remains, there are more good coaching jobs out there than they are good coaches—which puts the power in the hands of the coaches, more than it does the schools. Plus, an SEC school with big money couldn't care less bout paying off some dude's contract. It's chump change to them and their big money boosters. They want the right guy and will pay out the nose to get him.
