Honestly, you're right...it doesn't matter, and more likely could be a plus that Smith is backing off slightly in recruiting due to the interview. His desires have been busts and I'd rather have Jerry doing it than Smith.
Waitng is a HUGE problem. How can it not be? The longer you take the get a staff in order, the less time you have to prepare. Als, the longer you wait, the fewer top candidates are out there. It also gives off 2 impressions.
1. They don't know what they want or know what they're doing
2. No one wants to come here with a lame duck staff
The longer things take, the more fuel goes to those 2 fires. Perception isn't everything. But it's a lot.
If I'm NO or Indy I could care less. Were in the SB! And one will win it. Deal with issues after that. It's a small price to pay for winning it all. Everyone else who lost, gets a small advantage then.
I'm sorry, I just do not buy the spin that this lingering search is good. It's rationalization based on fallacy. And that fallacy is that the powers that be know what they're doing.