[EKC Man]

Local politics are nasty things. Best advice for coaches would be to check on who is running the show. If I were applying for an open spot, the first person that I would contact would be the last guy that held the position. I'd think he would give you the closest thing to a honest assessment of the state of the program you're about to enter. He could also give you some pointers on the politics (who to avoid, who the snake in the grass is, who butters whose bread, etc.)