Mike Sanford was starting to hit his stride as an offensive coordinator, but to put him in a head coaching position after just three years of experience as an OC (one at Boise State, two at ND) was a foolish gamble to take.
It wasn't quite as bad as Akron hiring Rob Ianello to be the head coach, but it's still bad nonetheless.
He'll land on his feet, though. I'm pretty sure someone will be happy to take him in as an OC, or a quarterbacks coach.