Because urban was RED HOT and was going to have his pick of the top of the top. As I recall he was reported to have his sights set on ND and Willingham wasn't long for the golden dome at the time. He never would have considered NU because he was going to be considered for ND, Fla, etc. type jobs.
Oh, you are saying NU could have scored a mid-major who was not red hot or had his pick of the top teams with job openings?
A. don't think so, because our one prime example stated a perception that was shared around the coaching community.
B. pedey would have never ever gone for a second tier HC, up and coming or not. did he even interview a mid-major HC?