You cited three examples in Monson, Koetter & Hawkins. I think those guys just represent the failures. For every failure, there is a success. Bill Self (Tulsa), Thad Matta (Butler & Xavier), Bruce Weber (SIU). Chip Kelly (New Hampshire), Brian Kelly (Central Michigan), Jim Tressel (Youngstown State).
It is just ironic that two of these guys came from Boise State. But there might be something to the "system HC" idea. Not many coaches emerged from the U of Houston's fun-and-gun system with Ware & Klingler, or all of Marshall's success back in the '90s.
i wasn't trying to be comprehensive or make an inclusive "anti-" argument about mid-major coaches. Obviously, there are many examples of guys who succeed...just noting similarities between BSU and Zaga as mid-major "darlings" of their respective sports. Of the coaches you list, with the exception of Xavier and Tulsa possibly....none of those schools/teams have achieved anywhere near the top level success in the way Boise and Gonzaga have. Or, even have access to it. Boise and Gonzaga have been pioneers in moving mid majors to the fore. So, i stick with my comparison in that regard.
SIU, C. Michigan, etc. were outright stepping stone schools for those coaches and remain at that mid-major, second tier conference level.....not Elite 8 teams or BCS Bowl winners. SIU is still SIU. CMU is still CMU.
I also think there is something different, unique in the way that Boise/Gonzaga are western programs vs. the longstanding and subordinate relationship that MAC type conference schools have with the Big Ten and have, for a long time, been feeders into the top tier Big Ten....but, it's too early to try and flesh it out. For instance, you have a lot of precedent for things like a move from SIU to Illinois, or Youngstown State to tOSU. Both Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes coached at Miami (OH)...for instance, to list the "uber-examples". there's no precedent like that with Boise or Gonzaga. Tulsa was good with Nolan Richardson in the early 80's. the move to Arkansas was natural....200 miles away.
Jim Donnan turned the Marshall job into a gig at UGA, if i recall. wiki says JD was 40-19 at UGA (4-0 bowl record) before getting canned against the wishes of AD Vince Dooley. looking further, Donnan won 11 games or more at Marshall 5 of 6 years, 64-21 overall. 104-40-1 overall, with a D-AA National Championship and was the OC for OU's 85 MNC team. amazing that Donnan had to go to the TV set while our guy with nearly the inverted winning % as JD....is asking for an extension.