My comeback to that is I think $1M as an assistant D coordinator was enough to keep Wallace at Iowa. At that point, if he wanted to be a head DC somewhere I think he'd do it, regardless of the assistant HC title.
And from afar, it has seemed like Woods has been ready and wanting more for awhile.
Here's another thing I don't love. Kirk has had 4 OCs and 2 DCs. And now an assistant head coach. And at one time, he said Doyle was the most important/powerful person in the whole organization (with Kirk being the one who empowered him).
So he's 8 for 8 for placing white guys in the most important spots on his staff. (The strength coach position has been far diminished since Doyle left, and I don't think most consider special teams coordinator on the same level as the others, it certainly isn't as a springboard to other opportunities).
That's a really poor track record after 25 years. Once Kirk didn't hire a black guy as OC, I think it made even more sense for him to elevate Woods to a more entrusted position that would lend itself to more opportunities.