[DC 86]

I doubt Rittman would set foot on campus again, at least until Muir goes.

One difference between hiring a new HC now vs. after Rittman's departure is that by now the intra-team split is gone because of the natural turnover in players. Now the team seems to be united (in their dislike for Hanson?).

This is a key point: following Rittman's dismissal the new coach was poised to inherit a fractured team and the specter of NCAA sanctions of some sort, which certainly were factors in the lack of interest in the job among top candidates. At this point a new coach faces a rebuilding job but without those obstacles.

[DC 86]

I doubt Rittman would set foot on campus again, at least until Muir goes.

One difference between hiring a new HC now vs. after Rittman's departure is that by now the intra-team split is gone because of the natural turnover in players. Now the team seems to be united (in their dislike for Hanson?).

This is a key point: following Rittman's dismissal the new coach was poised to inherit a fractured team and the specter of NCAA sanctions of some sort, which certainly were factors in the lack of interest in the job among top candidates. At this point a new coach faces a rebuilding job but without those obstacles.