your realism had to make up an argument I didn't make.
realistically we don't "need" them; we want them. and its not like most of these guys are true one-offs in skill or something. This isn't the old coaching staff where there is a huge drop off from our top priorities to the next level. So its not going from 5* to a 3*. We are in on what 3 different 5* guys, and then some high 4*. the difference between a lot of these guys is subjective. Hitting on one particular guy isn't make or break unless they are truly that guy. but 99.99999% of them aren't that guy. We are going from say a 98 to a 96, or even "all the way down" to a 94. we are still going to get a great player, probably someone who would have been the highest ranked guy at that position under other coaches. But now everyone is spoiled and wants instant gratification thinking that we SHOULD be getting the #1 want EVERY time.
they spend the time because it makes their job easier, but it clearly isn't a requirement to have the best talent to beat the best talent. our results last year show that. Our coach is an X and O guy, he isn't a manager like Fulmer, Orgeron or Miles. Those guys HAD to have the talent to win, because they didn't have the Xs and Os themselves. and even with the talent it didn't take them very far unless they had the right coordinators as well.
and again Georgia has recently lost out on the 3 5*, so its not like even the current best actually does what people expect our coaches to do.