re: Why did LSU hire Dinardo

It was a series of things not the least was Sullivan's buyout at TCU and Dean's apprehension at a buyout. It was the Curley and Archer factor as well by some people on the BoS like Charles Cusimano who were not sold on Sullivan. At the time Bill McCartney was the man in college football and DiNardo was one of his guys (so was Les Miles) and if McCartney was high on a person you talked to him. You were not getting McCartney even though he retired at Colorado that year . Originally, according to Cusimano he suggested making a run at McCartney and seeing what his price would be. If he were serious Cusimano and other Board members would find the money but McCartney stopped them cold. He suggested DiNardo who had been on his staff at Colorado and was not happy at Vanderbilt who treated him like an afterthought. Sullivan wanted the job but DiNardo wanted it too. Dean wanted Sullivan, but Andonie and Cusimano wanted DiNardo because of McCartney. The kicker was the buyout. Sullivan said if you want me, you have to pay my buyout....that's the way it works. DiNardo ups the ante and says " If the contract is right, I will pay my own buyout." Everyone jumped at it.

In the end though, I don't think DiNardo paid most of the buyout himself, he had help