And let me start off by saying that i'm an alumnus of the university and have wanted Golden's *** canned since he lost to Louisville in '13. I don't see what kind of "competitive advantage" we gain by firing a coach midseason considering that you really can't talk to current coaches about openings now anyways. Do you really think Maryland, Illinois and USC are flying in candidates to interview midseason? Whether it's 10/25 or 12/1, it's not like it's going to matter and it's also hard to argue against the theory that the search hasn't already begun to an extent already.
Also, do you really think Butch (if that's the route we go), leaves his cushy ESPN gig mid-season?
Turn the question around... What is the benefit of keeping a lame duck coach here? Let the recruits know now we are moving on. Let's see what the kids can do under a different style with whoever the interim coach is. We need a change ASAP.