Not to defend anyone because I have no stake in this game as anyone but a fan. But what if for the last year they were getting one NIL number from a candidate and all of the sudden the candidate gets hot and his name gets into the press as the next thing since sliced bread and he increases his NIL number by 50%? If the university doesn't believe it can consistently deliver the NIL each year that the candidate is going to need then why hire him? The dude will just quit with the first better offer he gets.
My hunch is we are already down this path with mr dart... except he was so grateful for the chance he probably said I'll bring the money. But now he will leave with the first better offer he gets where he doesn't have to do as much of the heavy lifting and he will take the team with him.
If they are seeing the same with Hodgson than they are better off not hiring him. I agree it shows a complete lack of ambition, but money is money. We all need to reset our expectations as fans... it seems we are going to be bubble program that makes it into the dance once every 3/4 years moving forward. Basically we will be providence but in a more challenging conference, so we won't make the dance as often.