What level of quality could we realistically expect in our next head coach?

We'd be in the mix for up-and-coming coaches in the Group of 5, not unlike our current hire. The temptation to coach-hop is strong in down years, but what is the net gain in the near term?

For us, this temptation was heightened because we thought our hot start to the season contradicted preseason predictions. We thought, "maybe we aren't so bad on defense!" Reality has set in more recently.

Now I concede that few, if any, predicted missing a bowl game. It speaks to the quality of our backups when they are outclassed towards the end of their first seasons.

But to a first approximation, and with apologies to Denny Green, "we are who we thought we were."

*N.B. Not suggesting Fuente doesn't return in 2019.