ROI, gentlemen: Return On Investment. The members of the BOT are business savvy. Their impetus to make any change is driven by the bottom line. They have to believe that status quo will not only hurt the bottom line, but cause it irreparable harm. At the same time, they have to believe that there is a HC candidate that carries enough buzz to make up the difference in lost revenue from the buyout figure, combined with what can only be perceived as an epic loss of interest (and revenue) from fan's game attendance, their buying merchandise, building good will for the university, etc.
Only one man's hire would create enough "buzz" to more than compensate for the perceived loss of revenue next year. It's just too perfect to pass up. BBB.