Not that Erik Ainge has all the inside connections, but he was saying this morning that UT countered to match FSU's offer and Graham turned it down and left, with the reason being that FSU's program is in better shape.
So he quit because this job is too hard.
You know what? I'm sure it's hard. The talent level needs to be improved, there's a negative culture among the fans that needs to be turned around, and to do it you've got to start beating some of college football's juggernauts. This is a tough league, so of course this job was hard.
If this is an accurate description of the situation, then good riddance. This team needs a little more toughness than Jay Graham apparently has in him. So bring us another guy-- UT connections or no-- that really wants it.
Not accurate. Ainge will sometimes say things without knowing the facts.
However, FSU lost a bunch of coaches and is hiring a bunch of news ones.