I will say one thing I don't care about at all is the new coaches contacts in the South.
When I look at the coaches who have built stable, winning programs in the ACC at schools that are not the more factory type schools (FSU, Clemson, Miami) - - I would place Clawson, Narduzzi and Doreen at the top. None of them had significant Southern background. Doreen came from Northern Ill, Narduzzi from Michigan St, Clawson from Bowling Green.
The most important thing is to find the coach who wants to be here, thinks he can win here, and has a plan for sustained winning understanding both the strengths and weaknesses of the program.
You can always hire a few assts who have strong ties to the area you recruit in.
If the coach we hire is from the SE, that is fine, but I wouldn't prioritize it in any way.