Austin is as attractive, and probably more attractive than just about any other gig in college football. As an example, if the UT job had come up at the same time as the 'Bama job, and Saban was offered both, I'd have to think he goes to Texas. It's a bit different story now as he's already got a sure thing and enough cash, which is probably why he didn't make the move this year. That, and I can't imagine starting over.
I agree with everything you just said, and I just had my own post stating why the TX job is more desirable to many over ND.
HOWEVER, one thing I haven't seen mentioned (forgive me if I missed it) that ROYALLY sucks for coaches is the Longhorn Network. With how close to the vest so many coaches handle their programs, the LN is extremely intrusive, time-consuming, and annoying. They need to fill air space, and so they exploit their football program daily.
That SUCKS balls for coaches. Sure, it's great exposure (for those 132 people who have that channel), but it also shows a lot of the program that coaches don't want outsiders (read: other programs) to see. ND does what, one or two half-hour or hr long programs a year? Try doing several of those A WEEK. It has to be a major pain for the coach, and Mack Brown complained about it a lot.
So while it sucks for ND coaches to travel the nation to recruit, and to travel the nation speaking at alumni functions instead of recruiting, it also blows for the Texas coach to have to deal with the Longhorn Network.
