Relieving of Coach Brian Smith was done poorly. Secretively, conjecture, guessing (alternatively how Michigan reacted to their coach's hiccup), that was the start.Never told the public reasons. Legality? Nonsense. There are ways to say & word things. Don't use that as an excuse.
A month later, no new coaching announcement?
Those involved had 1 month to interview. One month to know if they wanted Coach Hauser or not. He did a masterful job in the Bowl game, and still no announcement?

My conjecture is: they are looking elsewhere. Waiting for the fan & players headwind to hire Hauser--- to die down. If they wanted him, the perfect time to announce it was, after the Bowl game, or when they arrived back in Athens.
Stringing the man along like this is a shame on the athletic director & the compliant President of OU.
Shame on both of you . Players are going to transfer. Not in but out. This one is on the athletic director & President ---SHAME!!!

Not trying to make excuses for anyone...just stating some obvious reasons this might take a while:

It's Christmas Eve...and doing business on the second largest holiday of the year is difficult at best...

Last night might have gone an entirely different way, and you can't negotiate with someone if the game goes 180 degrees in the opposite direction...

And have you ever negotiated a contract with anyone, not to mention...and particularly when someone you are trying to hire and his agent have an incredible amount of leverage over you after you delivered massively on national TV, and held 100% of your recruiting class together after one of the most controversial moments in recent history at OHIO?

Just my $.02. These things always take time, and none of the parties involved are doing anything to intentionally piss off the fan base.

Alaska Cat, I'd say be patient. Everything is a process including negotiations. This is just the day after the Frisco Bowl, and it's Christmas Eve.

They at least said they would announce after the bowl game. Due diligence is appropriate of course, but as stated above, this drama has been going on at least since Dec. 1 so we’re looking at 3 + weeks. The transfer portal is officially January 2-16 so that clock is ticking for our players. I don’t like to make predictions, but in this case, if we don’t hire Hauser, I’m guessing the majority of our players and our recent signees will be gone.

Another issue I have is I really thought it would have been worthwhile for either the President or AD to have given a short talk at the pregame party? Over 200 folks there. Maybe something was said at the Presidents reception on Monday night where the bigger donors were-anything on that?

I’d agree with this. I’d also think you’d want to do before the CFP, announcing during that window would drown any PR you could pick up as media will be focused on those games and teams.

Can you point to any verified accounts of DV, or you just spreading rumors? My apologies, thought you were speaking of OHIO. (Edited)

My bad!!!! I thought he was speaking of OHIO

Did I miss the mass exodus because everyone spent Christmas with their families or are you two goofballs done crying for this week?