My (worthless) $0.02:
I like to think that JAB is too classy to pull the Bo Ryan-Greg Gard hijinks. A move like that, after 45+ years, is so unbecoming and/or divisive that it could shake the program’s foundation he built for five decades (see UConn) and tarnish his own legacy.
Why do something that selfish when you know you have one of the top, process-driven and forthright ADs in college sports in place (and there are not many out there, trust me). An AD that he likes and would likely be able to have a place in the conversation (to offer his wise opinion). This is not Gross. This is Wildhack. BIG DIFFERENCE.
Wildhack was hired to make 2-3 big decisions and he has the backing of Kent and the BOT. I don’t know this, but my best read is that Wildhack is in greater standing with Kent and the BOT than JAB (if JAB, hypothetically, is perceived as undermining Wildhack’s process, he will lose any voice in the matter).
In the end, Wildhack will make the decision: Hopkins, Autry or G-Mac. It will stay in house. Timing and final name to be determined.