I'm not enthused about hiring a guy you and I have just recently heard of. That's not the type of candidate I'm interested in handing the reins over to. If we can't afford to pay off Turgeon and bring in a real coach and real assistants, then you just keep Turgeon.
I don't know what the exact financial situation of the athletic department is. But it's a public university that has to release all their records, so whatever the released documents are, that's the situation. An article saying "they broke even" isn't an official document and i'd take it with a lot of skepticism, but the official state released documents that come out are something I'd take as meaningful. I haven't seen those or been able to find them online.
It's possible the department is doing well enough that we can afford to buy him out. I think it's more likely that we can't unless an outside donor steps up and gives money with the express purpose of it going towards Turgeon's buyout and payments. Don't know for sure what the status is, of course, but given recent hardship the athletic department has had in terms of financials, I know which way feels more likely to me.
Some people graduate from mid-majors to top tier jobs and have success. Some go from one prominent program to another with success. It's all in using the process and all the tools and resources to find the right guy, no matter where they are from.
I'd be fine with Mack, though I think it'd be a lateral move at best for him. But if the goal is to save money, paying say $3.5M for two coaches versus $5-$6M by bringing in a bigger name, then you have to look at the mid-major level.