That is the crazy part about this.

Up until this point programs did EVERYTHING they could do to avoid NCAA sanctions. The thought of turning yourself in to save the program some money has never been part of the sport before this. But then again only recently have buyout amounts gotten so large.

But it is a long time coming, as its been a long time since the NCAA really hammered a program. If the police no longer carry a stick who cares if you turn yourself in? At worst the sanctions will be two years, so you hire a cheap coach to fail in that time period and then used the saved money to buy a gangbuster coaching staff in year 3 when the sanctions are done.

Its kinda like how teams outright tank in the NBA, but don't in the NFL. It makes no sense from a logical standpoint, there is so much value in tanking. But NFL programs are scared of punishments from the league so they don't blatantly tank. If one team did it and only got a slap on the wrist from the league then going forward the NFL would turn into the NBA and every team would tank.

The Tenn situation is a watershed moment. Either they win the case and come out on top with a fantastic coaching staff and no penalties in two years (after they fire the current placeholder boob of a coach they have), or they lose the case and college football stays the same.

Everyone should be watching this closely if you are a fan of the sport.