Another post I made behind closed doors but is very applicable to the current discussion...
Regarding the search and leaks... I was just talking to some people about that. While I absolutely think it's important for Leath to push JP out of his comfort zone - because let's be honest, all of his searches have been very limited in scope/breadth - there is a line that he can't cross of being too integrated into the actual process.
I will add that while people love what JP has done, there are a lot [redacted] that feel he's great at working the donors, building excitement, etc but can't be fully trusted to make the call on coaches. He has a narrow focus on those that he feels he has considered to lead the various programs and his mind is set from there on. Donors don't like that because they are fanatics just like everybody else and want to be excited. Leath doesn't like it because he wants to constantly push the bar higher (rightfully so).
If Leath wasn't here, we would have had TJ announced by EOD tomorrow. With Leath involved, a proper search is being conducted with input from a lot of people. As much as I think the current friction is being aired too much and hurting us, it is long overdue to be quite frank - and many people share that opinion.
I will pass along something I've heard from several key members in all of this - "JP has done more for ISU Athletics than any single individual before him, but he continues to operate like Iowa State is the little school on the prairie like when he arrived."
That sentiment speaks to the level of candidates and the money that JP has been working with, right or wrong. People don't have to like his process, but people need to love where Leath wants to take our athletic programs - much higher than even JP has envisioned.