I don't know what you mean by not letting him go. LSU is supposedly going to offer him 1.5 million to retain him. Obviously its unlikely that Miami would offer 2 million, but if it did, I'm not sure what LSU to stop him from leaving for his favorite team other than try to pay over 2 million. I don't think Brady, who currently makes 400k, has a hefty buyout. Interestingly enough- even at 2 mil, his salary plus Mannys would still be almost 1 million less than Richt + his 1.5 million allowance for an OC.
That being said- I don't know that I'd be willing to pay an OC 2 million in his 1st gig as a playcalling OC. 1.5 mil, yes. 2 mil...I'd have to think hard. I think Bedenbaugh would also be worth that much because he is also a proven OL guru and exceptional OL recruiter. Doesn't matter what offensive scheme we run if the OL can't block.
Maybe we are looking at it backwards. Big money to DC, less pricey young innovator at OC. Orgeron got it right by paying Dave Aranda 2.2 million, then landed a brilliant young co-OC. Get an absolute stud DC and it gives you a large margin of error and opportunity to take a risk with a young innovative OC like SMU's Lashlee (350k) who will come a lot cheaper than 1.5 million.