When coaches are fired can recruits get out of their LOI?

realistically, or normally, the "penalty" for signing a LOI then wanting to get out of it is a loss of a year of eligibility.

So if these waivers that the NCAA has initiated continue into the spring, and it looks like they will though 2021, anyone can get out of a LOI anytime (in practical theory).

ETA: the only entity that gets penalized is the school because that will be an initial counter if he enrolls but never plays thus counting against the 25.

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If he doesn’t enroll, is it an initial counter?

I thought I remembered reading that there were two separate caps for initial counters and letters of intent, but I could be wrong?

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I don't THINK so.

Disclaimer: when I'm sure I KNOW something about these rules either Indiana Tiger confirms I don't KNOW a damn thing or there is some outlier example that if using the scientific method blows me up.

But, I'm pretty damn sure a LOI properly submitted is that players year 1 eligibility (normally). BUT, until enrolled the NCAA doesn't count it against the 25.

That is because a LOI isn't required. You can sign FA papers and enroll, and you count. Therefore a LOI isn't necessary and thus not part of the definition of an initial counter.

Remember: a LOI isn't a NCAA thing. The NLI created/administers it with the NCAA recognizing it as ONE method truly committing to a school. The idea behind a LOI is to protect the recruit from losing his financial aid at the last minute. So the idea behind it is that if you sign a LOI you are guaranteed a scholarship at enrollment. If a kid doesn't enroll it still doesn't matter. That's why a LOI has to be accompanied by signed financial aid papers. They are necessarily linked.

Exceptions that have blown me up:
- Zach Evans [supposedly] signed a LOI last year with UGA and is now at TCU and didn't lose any eligibility.

- Seth Stewart quit before joining the team a couple years ago but he counted against us. I'm not sure if he actually enrolled or not. I didn't think so because it was too early for registration.

ETA: you are right in one sense, since a LOI is a guarantee of financial aid if you sign too many LOI's you are guaranteeing you will oversign the 25. But, still, if that were to happen and 1 or more of them didn't enroll you didn't actually oversign. The problem would occur if they all did try to enroll and you've provided a guarantee, in writing.

Only if he wants to go to Bama

He enrolled then left before camp started. At least that’s what Orgeron said at the time.