I'm not naive, I get it, big donors own college football programs.
I would just say if any of the folks I sat around during the MSU game have the administration's ear, then we doomed as a program. Some of the worst fans and the most lukewarm and backhanded support I've ever witnessed. Really sickening stuff like literally not cheering, clapping, or participating in the game whatsoever until they disagreed with some decision the coaches made, then they yelled at the top of their lungs.
Big donors are fine, those folks having any influence on the program is not.