The hope list, and first calls went to:
Fickell and Aranda. A Big-10 assistant sent me a text that UW offered Fickell $7M for 7. Clearly his source was Fickell's agent whose agency also rep's said assistant. When word leaks that early, the agent has floated the offer, making a market for his guy. When this happens, Next. No harm no foul. Aranda was also contacted and immediately shut them down.
Jen's first choice was Clawson. She saw him as the CFB Billy Beane, a coach who could build a program without NIL and win by out scheming opponents, Pete?. Moneyball was a cute story but last I checked the A's can't win the big one. Moreover, they're a shit home draw. Right there, that tells you the mindset. "More" with less. Overachieve and overcharge at the gate, draw em in with fancy light shows, purple smoke and a game-break playlist that screams a Nickelback track lurks somewhere in the shuffle.
Jen thought Clawson was in only to learn his wife tubed the deal. Anyone who ever sold for a living understands when the prospect says they have to check with the wife, the deal is dead.
Next, Campbell. He beat Oregon! Less is more. Feel good guy. And so on so forth. Yes, again Jen thought Campbell was in. The courtship drug on and Jen was clearly played. Cucked, more like it.
Meanwhile DeBoner, with the most promising pedigree of the above, IMO, lingered and we got a coach.
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