As a former headhunter, I think we should conduct the W I D E S T coaching search we possibly can at this point.
We should include and reach out to any and all candidates who check a minimum number of boxes...looking for reasons to INCLUDE rather than exclude a candidate.
We should only be considering a short list AFTER having conducting an exhaustive search process. Once we have 3-5 viable candidates, then we go from there.
Focusing on an internal candidate for whatever reason (and please, not out of convenience or ties to GT) is not the best way to go.
(And yes, hiring an executive search firm with a track record of success in athletics is the only way to do this properly. They will have connections and the ability to have conversations that would not be appropriate to initiate directly. Their fee will be peanuts compared to the dollars at stake.)