I think Ward all but had to bring P back. That said, I think there is better than even money that GDL does not come back as the OC. If he does, P will be gone after next season.
I do suspect Ward is struggling big time. The Ollie contract is borderline crazy and I have to believe Ward can't figure out a way to manage Calhoun, which, in fairness, cannot be an easy task. As for losing the invite to the ACC to Louisville, unless Herbst and Ward knew they had an invite to the BiG in their hand, and I don't believe they did, they got their lunch eaten. They could not drop that one and they did, while drinking on the beach. Big, big screw up.
Ward better figure out real fast that this fanbase is used to and expects performance. Given the ACC debacle it would not surprise me if he is a short timer if someone has to take the fall for that. You can be sure it won't be Herbst.