He absolutely cheated. It's much easier to run a program that is funded, than one that is not. Bo could not adjust to running a program that was not funded and where his fundraising was micromanaged.
Coach Rob was the right man for the job, he ran the McNeese program with similar funding concerns. I don't think anyone else could have done what he has done considering the restraints at UL. And yes, he did make it to Omaha under those restraints. But he has never made it back because in large part due to the lack of funding and facilities.