I agree, but the problem with that argument is that’s the way 90% of coaches in college football operate. There are some coaches, the current one in Tennessee included, that take the “if they’re not happy here we’re gonna help him be happy somewhere else“ attitude. But most coaches don’t. They will argue to the ends of the earth why somebody coming in should be eligible, but then not cooperate at all when someone who doesn’t fit for whatever reason leaves.
It really should make a difference to recruits, you’re completely right. But most of the time it doesn’t. No recruit thinks about transferring when they sign with a school. Nobody thinks of their exit strategy because they never think they’re going to need it. They are all going to start for three years and then go to the league. What really has an impact is a coach that sells that on the recruiting trail. They are the ones that end up with the most transfers (hello, Butch) because they set kids up for failure by blowing up what they think is going to happen in their careers, then when it doesn’t they don’t help them transfer to somewhere else.
