The reason Wellman continually picks bad coaches and makes bad decisions for programs is because there is no fan pressure to do otherwise, compared to that which would arise at Duke or Carolina for example if an AD severely bungled the prospects of a major sports program.
It's also important to distinguish between different levels of fans. There are the plebs like us on this board who do try to speak out, at least here, against bad administration. And then there are the much more numerous nameless WF alums who just don't GAF. Again, unlike the numbers at Duke and/or Carolina. And then there are the elite fans, who have Wellman's and/or the Board's or President's ear, who carefully do not rock the boat when bad things happen. Like most all Wake Foresters they go along/get along and try to work within the existing framework. They are so anxious to be good boys and girls, as their education taught them. They buy into what the administration has decided, and try to say "the right things" tm that a "highly educated" person would say about the "necessary evil" of collegiate sports.
There are many levels to this. But it gets down to the nature of the WF fan at all levels.
If you get a new AD, it will only be a matter of time before he either conforms to the diktat, or gets removed. And WF alums/fans, unlike at prominent sports institutions, will not widely withhold contributions when bad moves in sports are made. In short, there is little or no pressure brought to bear against a sports-averse administration. Even with the Bzaster, he was given FOUR YEARS and our AD spoke of his reluctance to "let him go". WTF? Why would an AD of a REAL sports program have the audacity to speak this way? Because there are no consequences. Only fans, those at the right level, can provide consequences. And WF fans do not.