They are working to make other arrangements (game in Chattanooga) in order to avoid paying that buyout. Just because being hired before early signing day didn't result in any early signing day commits, that doesn't mean it was a waste. Additional time to build relationships with recruits who might sign in Feb, get staff in place, and build relationship with the current players is very valuable. Waiting until 1/1, while maybe financially savvy, would have likely been a bad move in a number of ways (perception and recruiting).