So would have been exponentially better off, even financially.
He was in the midst of building a dynasty in the best recruiting area of the country while traditional powers are down.
Sure, the money wasn't going to start rolling in like Nebraska offered, but the job security he had at UCF was solid. Now, as they move into the Big 12, he could have gotten his PAYDAY for the next 20 years.
Big picture he probably makes 2 3 or even 4 times as much staying long tern at UCF than he will after he finally gets fired from Nebraska and bounces around at smaller jobs the rest of his career.