Fertitta's presence helps, but pursuing a conference or national championship means contiually paying two multi-million dollar guaranteed contracts at the same time for the new hire and old fire, or even in the best case ramping up compensation to $3 - $5 million annually. U of H couldn't do that in the '90s or '00s and they've taken on a lot more campus construction and expansion since then.
Im just saying, Herman coulda stayed here and made plenty to never have to work again. They were paying him and Levine at the same time too.
There were a few graduate/community college/upperclassmen transfers during the Herman era (Chance Allen, Tyler McCloskey, etc.) that were huge contributors to the success he had.
It reeks if the Levine years. We had a bunch of kids, especially starters, leave when Levine came on board. The kids could sense the staff was overmatched and didn't want to end their careers with him or have their draft chances ruined. The transfers in never really become worthwhile contributors either (except a few JuCos) which really hurt. I'm seriously worried about the direction of this program.
Yes, I think he sees us as a stepping stone to a head coaching job once he shakes off the scandal stink. I think UH sees him as a potential replacement should Appelwhite do poorly. Don't know if I am parsing this too much, but Briles Jr was hired as an associate head coach, not assistant. Assistants work for, associates work with.