I agree the new commissioner didn’t help, but it was the presidents and chancellors that ultimately caused the demise of the PAC 12.
First they kept Luxury Larry Scott in power for way too long then got greedy by turning down ESPN’s initial contract offer, thinking they could get more.
Once USC and UCLA left and they lost the LA tv market, the writing was on the wall. Sorry, but San Diego St wasn’t going to make up for the loss of the two LA schools had they joined the conference.
As far as coaches salary goes, I believe Smith was making $4.8 million per year and would have gotten a raise had he stayed. Not bad coin for Corvallis.

Not sure what he is getting at MSU, but I’m sure it is well north of what he was making at OSU.
SF