Many of you have no idea how this all works. Let me help you out. First, the administration goes to the big donor well and ask if they would support a move. After the approval comes, they start making overtures to the agents of coaches. If interest exists, the super big donors are consulted again. During this phase, the donors may possibly meet or speak to said coaches.
I know we are through step two. Not sure if we are at that step 3 yet.
Here's another little leak for you. Barchi wanted Flood fired in September. Flood's attorney threatened a defamation lawsuit because Flood (nor any representative of RU football has attended an internal compliance meeting (inexplicably held in September and only once per year) . Barchi got scared. Backed off. Cue the "special investigation" of the Football program. If Flood won 10 games this year I would not have been shocked if he was still fired. This debacle of a season just makes it easier and will be for cause.
As for coaches and affordability, Golden getting $7m guaranteed from Miami whether he gets a job or not. This puts him in our price range because I suspect he just may agree to that $2m with incentive laden package. Like him or hate him I think we wont do much better. The fact that he had the job at Penn State and turned them down should not be overlooked.