The honest answer to the original question "What was the reasoning behind the 10 year contract for CPR?" is because you can pay someone less if you give them more security (in this case a 10 year contract). Paul Rhoads is still paid less than any other coach in the Big 12. ($1.6M this year, next lowest is Tuberville at $2.15M (Source)) It was a good move at the time, and I still think it is a good contract now.