It's not just about "making a play". You don't want to be perceived as the whore that cannot get laid.
You quietly work the back channels. And if there is a viable place to meet at some middle, you pursue it.
But know that if you "make a play" and fail, the national perception will be worse. And then to prove to everyone you are not a bad guy, you offer Cadillac....
Just an assumption here, but I have to believe 99% of negotiations, feelers etc. are done though agents and back channels anyway. The problem, as I was saying in another thread, is the media makes this thing have a life of it's own. Finebaum and all the talking heads give you the impression that Auburn is sending out 25 offers a day, and getting jilted time and time again.
Did we talk to Napier last time? How about Mario Crystal Balls? Kiffin? Who knows? Probably so. But I doubt it got much further than gaging interest. And I'm sure it was preliminary discussions between the AD, his staff, and their agents. I'm highly skeptical about us getting turned down by all these prospective corches.