Just making sure to correct the history here:
- Mike Bohn was the AD, Tharp had stepped down in Nov of '04 during the football scandal.
- I don't necessarily agree with 'forced'. RP announced before the season that he would resign. "I will neither seek nor accept an extension of my contract," was his quote. Bohn: "This came as a big surprise to me. I'm also disappointed, we've had weekly meetings that have been constructive and positive." This was announced Oct 25th.
I think RP was just done with Colorado, and when Bohn didn't immediately offer an extension, he decided to bail rather than have to answer questions about it all season. That said, I do not believe Bohn would ever have offered an extension. Regardless, the decision on his future shouldn't have waited that long -- this was reminiscent of the end of Hawk's tenure, when Bohn (due to political pressure, granted) gave him a lame-duck year, as well.
My perception: RP had put everything into the '06 season. Multiple transfers, rolling the dice on another NCAA run, like '03, to earn a new deal. That season was... fine. Some decent home wins, but only one Q1-level win in a down-year-version of the B12. They did not earn any significant consideration for the Dance, and quickly got bounced from the NIT. 7 players graduated, and RP brought in the biggest frosh/transfer class I can remember for '07. When Hall was declared ineligible in Sept, that meant there were only 3 returners, with one of them Marcus King-Stockton. With Hall, they're probably in the 125 range, nationally; maybe higher. Without, behind a checked-out RP, and relying on Kal Bay to run the point, it was a disaster. Highlight -- RP chucking Silas into the advertising boards during an on-court fight with Nebraska.
Re, NIL: I have been told by people who would know that the NIL budget was nowhere near $2 mil, but I understand that sources/stories/perceptions of the NIL situation can vary, since there's no accountability/transparency.
Ultimately, I disagree with Tad trading one season of LOB, Hadley for one season of Baskin and Jak, and think that was a flawed thought process (Eddie leaving is... fine, and probably as much Eddie's choice as anything). Failing to get a guard, even more flawed. Honestly -- I think he was ready to retire, then, some point midseason, decided to flip the switch back to 'on', and realized he was behind the 8 ball on the recruiting trail. This is a gap season -- the roster reflects that; the recruiting class for next year reflects that.