Most people would define "big time" as a coach whose resume includes major roles at major programs. Les Miles was available and has a national championship and several highly successful seasons in the SEC on his resume. Lane Kiffin is rumored to be looking to move up from his position as OC at Alabama, where he won a national championship and has been credited with reviving the Tide's stagnant offense. He held the same position at USC and Tennessee, and was an NFL head coach. So there are plenty of big time names out there UO could probably have hired.

It's all moot, but your implication that the UO could not have hired a big time coach is just silly.