And some universities like Tennessee were involved anyways. So the NCAA went after them. Tennessee sued the NCAA in court, and the judge sided with Tennessee.

So now even though the money is supposed to be coming from outside sources and not from the university, the collective can work hand-in-hand with the coaches so that the coaches can act as the role of General Manager and direct how much of whatever money is there is offered and to whom. It doesn't mean the collective is barred by the law or the NCAA from doing their own agreement with a player, but its in their interest to work closely with the coach. No need to pay a guy extra who the coach doesn't play much anyways.