Reading between the lines....
This is what I assume is taking place.
1. Musselman - KFAN and Reusse have been dropping hints that he's interested, he gettable, Barreiro said he thinks if the U offered $3 million a year, he'd take the job. There is plenty of noise from people Musselman has talked with before that these are active leaks from Musselman filtering their way through Minnesota.
But insiders at the U who post on this board and staff for 247 basically say. NO CHANCE. I presume this isn't just a financial issue, although it's a big part of it. It's something else.
2. Gates.
I think Gates is the person who gets the job. I assume he turned down BC because he's a better hire than who they hired. It seems that the news we've secured an interview with Gates says more than we've gotten an interview with Gates. I think he knows he has a very strong chance at this point to win the job, thus rolled the dice on passing from the BC opportunity. I can't believe that he didn't out-interview the candidate who got the BC job.
3. Dutcher.
There are whispers there. Seems like a backup choice right now. National media with mixed signals saying "Nah, he's good where he's at". What Dutcher has said publicly contradicts that big time however. This seems to me to be playing the role of the "Secret Big Name" hire.
4. Craig Smith
Seems like option 3 or 4. If Dutcher really can't pull up stakes, and if Gates bombs his interview, Craig Smith is that next option and would get the job.
5. Going back to Musselman
I don't think it's just a money thing. I think this is a Coyle thing where either there is a personality conflict, power struggle, or questions around ethics. It's something deeper than money which is why he won't be hired. Money is a problem that would solve itself if Musselman got hired, but it's not going to happen.
So at this point, I think we all watch Cleveland St play Houston. Perhaps they pull and upset, and Coyle will look even better bringing Gates on board. He has tremendous leadership traits. I'll be rooting for Cleveland St to make a run. (And the other three as well).