That portal class was a necessary reset for a program that won 1 game the year before he arrived. They improved from 1-11 to 4-8, which is a tangible step forward. Their offensive EPA per play jumped from 119th to 46th nationally. You don't fire a coach after one season of clear improvement, especially when he inherited a roster with a 15% talent level. Demanding instant contention after that dumpster fire is unrealistic.