I was skeptical/puzzled on the Smoke hire for this reason. NOW, I am giving him a shot, but the big thing everyone was worried about was how the program has lost its pull in its recently traditional recruiting wheelhouse in the northeast with the move to the ACC and how they needed to focus on ACC recruiting areas and JD hires someone from the Michigan area? Big 10 country and as noted, where the blue bloods go to get a few top kids.
That said, I have rejected the the idea that they had to start trying to go into traditional ACC territory.
I still believe the breakup of the Big East and their move to the ACC should have been an OPPORTUNITY to recruit the same areas even harder. Yes, you don't have as many games in the region, but if JD worked to get a game in the NYC and Phllly area every or more years, it would help. But, the bigger point is that over the years, they got a lot of good second tier guys from these areas, but almost always were brides maids to Nova and UConn on top kids.
IMO, with those programs relegated to secondary conferences it should have STRENGTHENED the Panther's position if JD couched it right. If you are kid from NY/Philly, the NE in general and you want to play in the best league and get on national TV, Pitt and Syracuse are now your only real choice where family and friend can reasonably drive to see you play.
IMO, he should have gotten the best NE recruiter he could have gotten and really staked his flag.
Now, Smoke does have some other connections past his AAU team and early history, but not a lot.
We can only hope he, BK and JD can get it done over the next 6 months, but just not the route I would have gone.