So I feel like its pretty lame to blame the current shit show state of the program on lack of NIL. First off, as many have pointed out, our NIL level is almost certainly no lower than middle of the conference and above our entire OOC schedule. So if NIL is the expectation setter, I figure we should be somewhere around 23-9 this season. Second, I'd offer up that if we are looking at NIL as the amount invested in the program, we should weigh also the coach's salary where I feel confident we are not so middle of the conference pack. Thirdly, this is the first year (as others have pointed out) of school sponsored NIL and I suspect the first year we have fallen behind (at least by the significant amount PQ implied). If we were significantly behind before, I feel certain the word would have been leaked out just like it was this year. And our problems go back more than this year or even two years for sure!
I refuse to believe that the admin actually believes that this is what's wrong with the program is NIL spend and more spend will cure all. I also can't believe that Hardt wants to be getting ripped by alumni up and down the pecking order or defend when others raising funds for the University note shrinking donations cited to the desire for a new coach for Men's basketball (which hasn't happened from PQ but clearly has happened with a lot of "line" donors).
So the question I have been wondering is - - - why are they REALLY so freaking supportive? Can't help but feel there is a missing piece here somewhere (like who does he have pictures of doing something tawdry kind of thing). Or is it really as simple as they want to fire him, but PQ protects him? And if that's the case, are the pictures of PQ? Why is he so freaking supportive? Can't just be that he "likes" the guy. PQ didn't get rich by accepting underperformance from people because he likes them. So I repeat the great mystery of life question - - why are the powers that be (whoever that might really be) so damn supportive?