1. Coaches salaries are lower
2. No program debt
Living these principles as a program opened up the opportunity to not only be competitive, but to beat everyone in the west on this benefit. Not to mention the good revenue stream we currently receive from our TV contract.
How much will this matter to a recruit? Time will tell, but I do believe it will at least keep doors open. Smaller stipends would have clearly sent the message that we are not big time, and recruiting the better athletes we need would have become nearly impossible.
Good job Tom and the administration