I agree with you that Mullin still had some draw on the recruiting-side. We got talent, just couldn't round out a roster and too much of the revolving door stuff you get when your focus is so much in that vein. The 2020 recruit you point to, Tabor, would never have ended up here if Mullin stayed on, so I don't think that's a good example. The kids we got during Mullin's four years are a better example of his ability to draw talent.
I have no idea if Hsu is a big upgrade on Matt. But even with that move, we still would have Mitch and St. Jean on the sidelines, would still be operating off the "one recruiter" model, would still lack experience on the bench and with running a program (no way Mully lets Mitch go), so I think we'd be in the same boat.
I have no idea if this works out. I liked getting Posh. I liked Heron and Figgy thinking enough of Anderson to stay; you can say they had no options, but kids with their talent always have some option basketball-wise. Let's see if we can get more talent for 2020 and let's see how the new regime does.
Except it did. We had a top 100 kid for 2020 already signed when he was let go. Steere was the best big man recruit we've had in many years and Roberts has great upside. Williams is a keeper too.
The previous staff was flawed, but Mullin was going to replace Matt with a big upgrade in Hsu. Hsu not only can get top recruits, he can evaluate talent well.
My first and really only requisite for a coach here is getting top talent. I supported Jarvis, Mullin, and Lavin because of it. Norm could not get top talent and I despised him.