I think the cheap part might not be the issue. Up and coming guys are the types of guys the AD get a lot of credit for discovering. I suspect rather than saving money, Foley was interested in adding to Foley's reputation he imagines he had as the best AD ever.
Wish I could give this one million likes. Describes Foley perfectly. "Discovered" one Billy D, a young up-and-coming coach in a money sport, when there was no risk because Kruger burned the program to the ground as he was leaving. UF had no history of winning in basketball (I believe 4 total tourney appearances prior to Billy D) so if Donovan didn't work out there was minimal risk. As we now know Billy quickly became UF's best BB coach ever and maintained that lofty performance throughout his tenure. Foley tried this tactic repeatedly thereafter in the money sports (Zook, Muschump, Hee Haw, White) while ironically going after the highest regarded and best coaches in the money-draining Olympic sports which we have dominated. A very strange method of recruitment, but I guess if you save a mil or 2 on a money sport coach you can use that to buy the best lacrosse, softball, swimming, track, tennis, and golf coaches. And in the strange world of All Sport Trophies and great ADs all these sports are equal to football and men's basketball.