Lashlee, a brilliant offensive mind, was "suggested" to HCRE by AD Benedict. When the boss makes such a suggestion, you satisfy his wishes, especially when Lashlee came a a bargain price compared to salary at similar institutions. That said, I'm sure of the following:
a. Lashlee was a temporary fix to get the offense back to a modicum of respectability. While we all hoped for 2-3 years of service before he moved on, the simple fact that he & his wife were from the "Deep South", he had never previously coached in the Northeast, & "culture shock" set in early, proved too great an impediment to a long term stay. He was looking to move on shortly after signing his contract.
b. HCRE has a list of candidates to target from when he was named at head coach last Christmas, that he put in his "hope chest" for future reference as soon as Benedict made the Lashlee "suggestion". He's proven too organised to think otherwise. This list was dusted off as soon as Lashlee informed AD Benedict of his intention to move on & probably updated with the flurry of recent hirings & firings across college football. In HCRE we trust.
I thank Lashlee for his service to the University. He helped make watching UConn football again bearable after the debacle of Diaco & Co. Now let's move on.