The issue was Title IX.  BYU had balance between men's and women's sports, BYU would have had to add a womens sport.  The donor was not willing to fund a women's sport as well.  TH listened and is still close to the donor.

The ONLY focus was to take it to D1 and they did want a legit coach with D1 experience.  For ex: the finalist at the UU were a top assistant at UNC (a top D1 lacrosse school) or an LDS guy who had real experience (ex: has an assistant at Notre Dame).  Coach Holman was hired (former UNC) and has done a great job.  This is Utah's first season in D1.

FYI, his son was already accpeted to BYU and is a great student.  He was accepted pre-mission and "recruited" by the club team coach.  Originally he was going to attend Loyola in Maryland (legit school for lacrosse, pre-season #5).  On his mission (like many) he wanted to get to BYU/Utah.  He went where he could play legit D1 lacrosse.  Not sure what you are talking about.

Your money figure is WAY off.  There are smaller donors in the $100k range that they pay over a number of years.  He made a long commitment to fund Utah's program.  The annual budget target is well over $1mm per and he is a sizable piece of that.  His contirbutions are multiples of the $100k per year.

It is comments like this that make CB look silly.  If your friends knew anything about the situatuion they would at least be in the ballpark.