This. Swarbrick could have said "We've received a lot of interest in the job in a short period of time. We have a lot of options on the table, we know what type of coach and what direction we want to go, and I will work through the candidates as quickly as possible to find the best fit."
That would have displayed some conviction that he was capable of doing his job. Instead, he told a reporter that he doesn't keep a list of potential HC candidates in his drawer (which he should be doing) and that every coaching search is unique. This isn't a freaking gender studies class, Jack. Every HC candidate isn't a freaking snowflake. If you can't tell the fans that you at least have some guys in mind then wtf are we even doing here.
The University and the fanbase was blindsided. His job was to put his nuts on the podium and reassure everyone that he had the biggest ones in the room. Instead, he did the AD equivalent of announcing that he has an average sized penis and his wife wouldn't want it any bigger. Lax rightfully pointed that out.
First part of bolded is Rule #1 of an AD: you always have a list- full potato list, coach gets covid list, coach has to go dry out for 3 months list, coach's wife gets sick list, nuclear options list, whatever. If you're an AD and aren't keeping tabs on the market, you're not doing your job. Much like any manager/boss/executive anywhere else.
Second part of bolded made it seem like he was speaking as a true academic. I'm sure many wanted to have a meeting to discuss the potential to form a committee to decide if they should, in fact, have a committee to look at hiring a new staff position. Then after the snail's pace that took, while every person on the committee was able to feel as though their position was justified, a new coach would be hired right in time to kick off the '23 football season. This isn't academia, it's real world, cutthroat business.
Fingers crossed Jack hired the right guy and did it in a timely fashion though.
