[BostonCard]

Assistant coaches join programs in trouble all the time.  Harbaugh hired seven assistant coaches to Michigan in the off-season (one was hired but then got hired away to become a head coach in Buffalo), despite the perception he was on thin ice and that this was going to be a tough season.  Brian Kelley famously hired all new coordinators after the 4-8 2016 season when Kelly was given an ultimatum and his future at Notre Dame was questionable.  Obviously, it would be tougher to compete against other, more successful programs, if you are struggling, but there will always be ambitious young assistants who would relish the chance to move up to coordinator or successful coaches at a lower division program who would look forward to working at a P5 program, even one that is struggling.

Also, money helps.

BC

[BostonCard]

Assistant coaches join programs in trouble all the time.  Harbaugh hired seven assistant coaches to Michigan in the off-season (one was hired but then got hired away to become a head coach in Buffalo), despite the perception he was on thin ice and that this was going to be a tough season.  Brian Kelley famously hired all new coordinators after the 4-8 2016 season when Kelly was given an ultimatum and his future at Notre Dame was questionable.  Obviously, it would be tougher to compete against other, more successful programs, if you are struggling, but there will always be ambitious young assistants who would relish the chance to move up to coordinator or successful coaches at a lower division program who would look forward to working at a P5 program, even one that is struggling.

Also, money helps.

BC