We aren't A&M, but we aren't poor. Heck, one of the main reasons we moved to the SEC, in addition to thinking our football program belonged in the best league, was because of the money that would come with the move. We don't have unlimited money, of course, but moving on from a failed hire needs to be the biggest priority in deciding how to spend it. I would much rather spend money on getting the right coach than on a couple players who will be here for a year or two, may or may not pan out (see: Ott and Mateer), and then move on.
As far as who to hire, this is where you need to hope your AD/committee are smart enough to identify the right man for the job. I've read a lot about the Tulane coach this week and he intrigues me. Elko wasn't exactly a guy with experience as a head coach at blueblood football programs. Our two most recent coaches before Brent were young coaches without head coaching experience. There isn't one formula for hiring a successful coach, which is part of the reason it is so tough to get it right. But there are definitely guys out there. And with money being such a huge part of what attracts recruits these days, I think it is more important than ever to find an excellent Xs and Os coach. Recruiting still matters to a degree, obviously. And maybe there are a handful of players who care about the SOUL mission (makes me laugh just typing it), but players want to get paid, win, and go to the next level. Brent isn't winning, in large part because he isn't a good game coach and makes bad personnel decisions. He hasn't been putting guys in the NFL since he became a head coach. I don't care if the next coach "wins the press conference." Give me someone who can give us a tactical edge on Saturdays, who will pay attention to all three phases of the game, and who will put together a good staff from day one.
