Contract interference
Active coaches that are under contract can not be tampered with. That is why backdoor recruiting takes place. The third party can contact the coach and discuss if they are interested in other options at some future point. The talks are general until the contracted coach expresses the intent to look at other contract opportunities. Since, he is a contract employee, it is expected that they can and do shop for other clients like Minnesota. Since the coach is then selling his business to another potential client, there is no interference in the existing contract by Minnesota. The coach is then able to exercise the right to explore these options. Minnesota can then interview him. Bottom line, in order to avoid contract interference, the coach must search for Minnesota, which as an independent contractor retains as his right. In fact, in order to avoid losing independent contractor status, they need to move on and not stay too long at any institution. This is why some coaches are more likely to move if a new offer comes along.