I listened to Gary Barnett talk about the "coaching vacancy season" yesterday.

For all those who think this is some noble exercise where men of integrity are true to their schools and their employers, you've got it all wrong.

Once the first coach is fired, the phone lines start lighting up. Guys trying to get their name in the hat for head coaching jobs and assistant jobs, but not wanting anybody to know they're interested. Favors get called in. Coaches hear from guys they worked with 10 years ago who want to get their foot in the door if you end up at a certain other place. He described it as a cutthroat game of deception. What you see and hear is not the truth.

Dan Hawkins said he doesn't even like to call his coach friends on the phone this time of year, because he's afraid they will think he's jockeying for a job.