The truth of the matter is that athletics is not a priority of the school. We as fans just need to accept it. Therefore - they do not wish to spend when needed - and especially when you need to buyout a coach. Maybe in the CAA days - you could let a coaches contract run out, but once we stepped up to the A10 - we stepped up to high level mid-major, which over the years has become increasingly competitive and lucrative (just look at the salaries of the coaches in the league, and the money a school like VCU brings in by making the tourney each year). I can't remember the last coach or if UR has ever "fired" a coach. Even Latrell Scott in football was allowed to resign because of his DWI. Rocco in football left on his terms because he saw the writing on the wall - this is as far as I can take it. Wainwright pushed the envelope on recruiting to try and get those top 100 recruits we so badly want - and they were denied, so he left.
Sure - we spend money on a football stadium, basketball practice facility, added Lacrosse, and stepped up the salary for our men's bball coach. But in reality - we do these (in my opinion) as a last resort. Football stadium was a few years in the making; practice facility was announced years ago, then put on hold, and then finally completed; lacrosse was added but we took away soccer and track; and we paid Mooney 1 million because Shaka got 1 million down the road.
If the school truly cared about athletics and wanted it to be a top priority of the University - they would have paid the buyout last year. But instead - they will give him 2 more years, hope he turns it around - if he does - they look like geniuses for sticking with him. If he doesn't - they will let his contract just run out and this will hurt the program for years to come.
UR's new slogan should be - lets just be good, not great.
