On the initial hire, there is no doubt in my mind he was very involved, especially given the Burton situation (and the relative power vacuum at UCONN at the time). As to last winter? I'm certain he was consulted, and I'm also fairly certain that he wouldn't have pushed to have PP fired (then). If Herbst and Warde wanted him gone? I don't think he would have stood in the way, especially if Burton (or someone else) ponied up the money for PP's buyout. There is no question he wants a winner, and he wouldn't choose nepotism (or whatever the right word is in this case) over winning.