In defense of Mitch, he went hard after two legitimate candidates. One is the best in the nation. Offered him more than anyone has ever been paid to coach in college basketball. Both turned us down.
I don't know if he reached out to any others, but he swung for the fences. Two high-profile rejections and I don't think Mitch can be blamed for those. I really think those are on a large group of fans who are incredibly fickle and difficult to please.
Still, there most certainly had to be a better candidate than Pope.