Years.
In his 11th year he was offered a promotion with way more money, better academic standards (which he has said are important to him), way less restrictions, and p5 access. He would be an idiot to turn that down especially with it falling almost exactly into his stated timeline, which was said long before the idea of byu forcing him out.
The people who think he was run out are up in the night. Put yourself in his shoes. They offer you way more money, more prestigious organization, better affiliation, and more freedom. This wasn't BYU kicking him to the curb it was UVA unfurling a red carpet.
I love BYU and it would be awesome to coach for them but that kind of money and not having to put up with honor code and church crap would make it so easy to jump ship. Glad he gave us the time he did but BYU didn't force him out he chose to leave.