Looking at Bohn’s retention of Hawkins, I think there might be other factors that led to his decision (a little self preservation in fact). The overall goal Bohn has had since he came on was to create a quality football program, and a competitive b-ball program that at least makes the NIT on a regular basis. With these to programs the AD can then fund all other sports, and become competitive on a national basis. Looking back at when Bohn gave Hawk the extension he thought the football program had turned a corner. Once the extension was announced his focus went to basketball, and building the $10 million practice facility to help b-ball. I believe there is a clause in Bz’s contract that states if there are no improvements to facilities, he can opt out after this year (I might be wrong on the timing, but I know Bz can opt out). Bohn truly believes Bz and his system can work long term at CU, and that he can establish a successful program (I’m not talking about NCAA championships, but at least getting invited to the dance twice a decade and the NIT the other eight years). Bohn had a choice; spend $3 mill to buy out Hawk plus another few million to sign a new coach and get a new staff, or build a practice facility for B-ball/v-ball and lock Bz into his contract. Since CU AD doesn’t have $18 million of cash lying around like ND, the two options were not mutually exclusive. If Bohn fired Hawk, then Bz may have left at the end of the year, and both football and basketball programs would be in disarray. That would mean Bohn himself would be out the door if the football team had a subpar season in 2010. So Bohn kept Hawk in order to build the practice facility (which he announced on the radio would start construction in April of 2010) and keep some stability in the B-ball program, and he knows he can let Hawk go (if the team doesn’t do well) for less than $2 million in 2010.