Just out of curiosity, how long do you suppose it takes for an AD to start the process of looking for a coach? This notion that every AD should have a rolodex on his desk with a list of coaches he'd want to contact is kind of silly. You may have a few coaches you'd dream of coaching for you, but the reality is they have to be interested in making a change. Top flight, top program guys aren't looking for changes. Top flight, mid level programs might be, but they have a wide variety of programs they can make that change to, and some of the mid level programs are paying quite well and have a strong enough reputation that allows those coaches to get their teams into March Madness and that's not a bad thing. So it boils down to having the right carrot to dangle, they guy who is hungering for a carrot, and then you just have to hope all he bites is the carrot, and not come in, screw things up worse, and bite you in the ass.
The same can be said for many of the assistant coaches many are enamored with. They have to see your program, and the opportunity for success to be their ticket into the HC world. If you are a predominant black hole, who would jump at that? Look at Northwestern and Collins, the program so many want to point to. Collins wanted Duke light. He wanted a school that is in a hotbed of recruiting, that didn't have massive expectations (similar to Duke when K showed up), with strong academics (which plays into his preferred system and style). Most just shook their heads when he went there, but I thought it was just the place he was looking for. He could build it without instant pressure. He could create an environment that best fit what he wants. Now if he wants to take this success and move on to something bigger, or even toss his hat in the ring when Coach K retires, that will be available for him, but at this point, he's in a great position because he knew what he wanted from a program.
You guys are so underestimating this whole coaching change thing.