@flyfishingfrog didn't just call his shot on JS leaving--he also called his shot on Sarloos being the next head coach. So, I'm trying to read between the lines on his criticism of ADJD not having a plan. I'm fine with ADJD spending the money on the search team, even if only to communicate to the world that KS is more than just the "easy choice." It says something for Sarloos to be deemed to be the best candidate after a national search rather than immediately promoted.
But for Donati to not have that plan ready ahead of time is concerning. He knows that other programs are likely to come after Sarloos, so a national-search-as-window-dressing seems less likely to be cover for Sarloos and more likely to be cover for Donati in his "first big hire."
The late counter-offer adds to that impression. If you're prepared for the guy to go, and you have a plan ready for his replacement, what reason is there to make a counter-offer that you know won't be accepted? I'm OK with gamesmanship to send a message, but the only message I see is encouraging other head coaches to shop around.
In the end, a quick, decisive promotion may have been best for Donati and Sarloos. It would have been easy for ADJD to come out and say that, following the Mississippi State flirtation, he thoroughly researched replacement possibilities including head and assistant coaches at other programs and determined that KS was the man for TCU's next chapter. Now, it increasingly looks like he's not so sure.
