I usually have your back on most everything you post, but I'm with GG on this one.
We now have a green light to interview any person not under contract, w/o doing the cloack and dagger routine. If our football man is currently unemployed, then we can have a reasonable discussion and thoughtful consideration. An early hire would allow them to get acquainted and thoughtfully consider who the coach might be.
It's all upside in my book.