Yes I am, but there are several others involved in this thread who have tried to help you understand. Of course, you completely dismissed their opinions, because you think you know more about the university than they do. Did you attend USC?
I tried to stay out of this, because it is difficult to be polite to people who are so obstinately stubborn and unwilling to learn from others who have more experience and knowledge than they do. I know Michael Amiridis well, and would love for him to come back to us. Unlike one of the other posters, I also think highly of Joan Gable. These were our two most recent Provosts, and either would be light years ahead of Caslen. Just out of basic philosophical considerations, the Army works on a top down command basis, where orders are followed. Academia will never function like that, and for good reason. Academic freedom is an essential part of the value of higher education, though that kind of freedom would not work well in the military. Different institutions, different needs. Perhaps Caslen could adapt to the way academia functions, but his last job at UCF is not a positive for me. I know enough about that institution to know that it is a long way from being on a level playing field with UofSC. UofSC is a R1 Carnegie research university. UCF is an upstart institution (founded in 1968) more focused on gaining student body numbers than anything else. It's very large in student body, but it is a second (or third) rate institution. We are not.
Beyond that, to hire Caslen without the stated requirement of a PhD, would be illegal and open to all kinds of lawsuits, that I am certain would ensue. The university does not need this kind of publicity or turmoil. For the governor of the state to try to insert himself into this process is reprehensible. When Furman was cut loose by the Southern Baptist convention, it was because the SBC tried to control the university at a level that was inappropriate. Lawsuits were threatened by both sides, and Furman lost a lot of support temporarily. Outside interference will never fly well with a university of any standing, and it shouldn't.