Not sure where you are headed here. Do you assert that that Ara, Barney, Walker and Waldorf were "bad predecessors"? If so, do you further assert that Fitz is simply the 'tallest midget' amongst our all-time coaching ranks. Because, surely, those guys were our best. Finally, if so, it sounds as if you are advocating some major shift, and to - somehow - identify and hire a coach that can take us to the level of winning the division every year.
Pretty straightforward, but with all sorts of complexities. Sometimes it works out, Stanford hiring Hairball gave them enough momentum to be in the upper tier for a decade, although they are back in the doldrums. Matt Campbell has, for the moment, brought ISU to levels unknown. Simple, hire a successful MAC coach, like Fleck or Campbell. Except, remember that Campbell's predecessor was our well-loved Tim Beckman. Or, you get a guy like Franklin, like Vandy did. A loathsome guy but successful coach. Then, he has a couple of good years and leaves. Or you can extend him like MSU did with Tucker for a cool $90M. And, no matter how successful your program and how much money you will pay (See ND), there is always some program that will back up the truck and hire the person away. Losing a good coach is better than keeping a sucky coach, but you get the idea. Now you're back in the market again.
I'm not advocating "Fitz for life" and I feel he needs to be accountable for failure just as he is showered with praise when the team is successful. But - the roadsides are littered with the carcasses of high cost, unsuccessful coaches. I'm personally ok with some occasional "lows" to go with the highs we've had, which are ok for me. But - to have 2 of 3 years of sucking, and another likely to follow, and no apparent changes, Gragg needs to warm up Fitz's seat. Hairball took a pay cut, Frost did, others have. It is de rigueur for struggling coaches. This is one of those times when it is 100.00% appropriate and literal to say to Fitz: "put your money where your mouth is".
