To me that is far down the list of prerequisites. Connections can be made, you can hire assistants with connections, you can pull talent in from elsewhere until they notice you (see TB), etc. Just win, baby.
I think I like this guy better than Kehres to be honest. He turned Notre Dame around pretty quickly, has some D-1 experience, still should have local connections. I'd be happy with this
Is Kehres allowed to interview during the season? Wondering if maybe we're either waiting to interview him, or waiting to announce it's him after his season. Notre Dame College just lost as well, they could have been waiting to talk to Jacobs also
Yes. Winners win, losers lose. Now, is the MU success lately because of him? Debatable since he took over such a successful program, but he certainly hasn't screwed it up.
Know what's exciting? Winning. Some of the most "exciting" hires I've seen have been full of hot air and the excitement wanes quite quickly when you don't win. Take a look at the reception when Gundy hired Yurcich, or on the flip side when Pitt hired Todd Graham.