When I read reports of recruit quotes after a visit, there is often information about how a specific recruit praised Mike for whatever he liked about him.
You're not going to win as many as you lose for recruits from other states. And instate, there aren't enough quality guys where we'd have the advantage. When you're after elite studs, you have a lot to overcome if they're from Florida or Cali or even Texas. I think it's a lot less about the coach personality and a lot more about the school proximity and player relationships. And in recruiting of elite guys, it might often be about who gets the "best deal."
It's not called the $EC for nothin.