I think a lot of the Wilcox musings are predicated on an assumption that he wants to go to USC. I'm not sure that is the case and it seems like if he's leaving, it's for an HC job. USC has a pretty decent DC right now, by the way. The $1million buyout would end up working out to quite a bit more than that. There's a good
fan post on UW Dawg Pound explaining how buyouts are considered earned income and therefore taxable and added to the buyout total. Additionally there were reports last week that USC had already balked at paying the $1million, which, if I understand correctly, is high for a coordinator.
Based on the three assistants that followed Sark to USC, it seems like they were presented with a take it or leave it offer. Coaching shake ups are precarious for assistants because their salaries are dramatically lower than the HC, so their risk is proportionately higher. If the new HC brings "their guys" in and you are forced out, you might be out of work for some time. It was a good opportunity for the three that left.
My feeling, which is just as much speculation as everything else right now, is that Wilcox is being given latitude to interview for HC jobs. In the event that doesn't work out for him this year, I think he will be back at UW, based on his established relationship with Coach Pete and the staff he's bringing over.
And I've probably just jinxed it and within an hour he will be announced as the DC at USC
