re: Was the BK hire a desperation hire after LR went to USC?

It's obvious to me that Woodward was evaluating several high-value HC prospects simultaneously. The agents for Jimbo, Kelly, and Riley were surely contacted. Perhaps Petersen's and Saban's, too, as well as a few NFL guys. I don't know if Napier's or Aranda's agents were contacted. I would not be surprised if this were a constant process for Woodward - maintaining relationships with various coaches and their agents, testing the waters, etc. In other words, he is a consummate professional. He does not allow himself to be put in a position of desperation.

It is absurd to suggest, like many in the media are doing, that Woodward was caught flat-footed by Riley's announcement and then "desperately" hired away from Notre Dame a top-5 coach. If he did, how is that not incredibly impressive in its own right, yet somehow the way this played out is supposed to reflect negatively on LSU.