That seems to be the way things work these days. Fans get their hopes up that their program is so attractive that there will be this can't miss savior to ride in - Gruden to Tennessee! Harbaugh to Michigan! Saban to Texas! Kelly to Florida! - and then it ends up being some mid level coach with a good pedigree and promising potential that wasn't on most fans' short lists, but may actually turn out pretty well. McElwain doesn't strike fear into my heart as an opposing fan like Freeze or Mullen or Petrino or Rich Rod might have, but he may turn out to be a very good hire. I think this is probably a pretty good pick by Foley, of course I thought that about Muschamp as well.
Not that it matters, of course. They could have hired Mr. Two Bits and we'd still find some way to lose to them.