I guess this is as close to a concession as I'll get out of you, so I'll take it.
My point has never been to disprove the idea that Coyle (and whomever else was included in that decision making process) decided to move on from Pitino. This is known, and not up for debate, and never was being debated.
My point has only ever been -- as confirmed by the OP article -- that Coyle and Pitino worked out a (new) deal for Pitino's separation which allowed it to appear "on paper" as if Richard was leaving the school for NM and didn't have to pay the usual penalty for doing so, in exchange for not getting paid any of the buyout.
Every post I've made in this thread has been in that vein.
And just about everything you stated here is false.
Let's take my first statement - "Pitino was fired". First, it's been reported as fact that he was "fired" in every news source that has mentioned it. If it were clickbait, as you claim, they would've mentioned it in a vague and ambiguous terms so that it wasn't clear. No, the articles all clearly say he was fired.
Now, unlike message boards, publications like ESPN, SI, StarTribune, Pioneer Press, USA Today, etc - they fall under defamation laws. Let's say, for example, that your assertion is true, that "on paper" Pitino left the school for NM and wasn't "on paper" fired. All of those publications previously mentioned would
not have directly used the term "fired" - otherwise they'd be exposing themselves from lawsuits that would be a slam dunk if, as you say, that "on paper" Pitino left the school and wasn't fired. Trust me, the editorial board had access to all the documents and the editorial process would've been thorough before being so reckless as to publish an article saying he was fired if he wasn't. Your scenario here is extremely illogical.
Are you following this so far?
If not, that's ok - prior attempts at rationalizing your viewpoint have been laughable to the point that I wouldn't be shocked this is a concept you're unable to grasp. It's very clear that reason and logic aren't your strong suits.
With all that said, there's overwhelming proof he was fired. Otherwise, where are the defamation lawsuits that would've been filed in the courts by now? Find me one. Or find me the text of this separation agreement that showcases your version of events. I'll be keeping an eye out, but I know you can't. I've provided enough proof to show he was fired, you have provided zero proof he wasn't.
With the assertion that he was fired, he therefore wouldn't have been subject to the $500k termination fee had he severed the contract by leaving for another school as provided in the original contract. If he were fired, he wouldn't owe the U a dime per the contract. You are unable to disprove this.
With those two facts, now comes the kicker. This "new deal" says that Pitino owes the U nothing. The contract I pointed to would
also show that Pitino would owe nothing based on how events unfolded. Therefore, this "new deal" didn't actually change anything about Pitino's termination fee. The only revelation from the article was that his NM job was enough of a similar job to eliminate the U's payout obligation to Pitino.
Carry on, little bird.