My question is this
If we say Cal (or any coach, but since Cal is ours, I'm going to focus on him) isn't aware that these kids are getting shoe and agent money then that seems like an incredibly naive stance, but if you don't take that position, then the coaches were turning a blind eye to the baggage these kids potentially brought to your program.
As Coach K said , and I'm paraphrasing, thats just the nature of recruiting today.
Do you bring a Bam Adabeyo or Nerlens Noel into your program knowing its likely that the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (just an example) he is driving was bought with under the table money - also knowing that if you don't go after him, Duke, UNC, and Kansas will?
Coaches don't keep their job losing out on recruits like that.