Everything has a shelf life. Like what many said on here DH's buyout ends in 2019. I do not think WVU is the type of university, yet, to pay a huge buyout to hire another coach.
Texas no matter if they finish 7-6 or 6-7 will start next year ranked. Oklahoma is the same way. Every year both universities start the season ranked. When you start the season ranked it is much easier to move up then if you start unranked. Football is a popularity contest. West Virginia is hoping to earn the same respect. There are many voters in the AP poll from Texas and other Big XII states. Once West Virginia begins to garner respect in the conference then they will be awarded.
The football coach is the main person boosters have to connect with. If boosters do not connect with the football coach then they will not give money or they will take money away. Butch Jones for example. When he first came to Tennessee the boosters helped him bring in Top 10 classes in hopes of winning but that did not happen and starting after the Florida game the boosters forced him out. The same boosters who pushed the AD out and brought in Phillip Fulmer.
Let's just say that Texas started a lot of the fininacial status around a football program. Programs like Michigan and ND started it early but by the late 1950's Texas advanced the game.
Just look at the financial status of the universities that are in the Big XII. Even Baylor and Oklahoma St bring in huge money and have multimillionaire boosters who want to win.
West Virginia had to take a huge step up in sophistication as the Big XII because of UT and the history of the SWC can use underhanded tactics with the best of them.