[Taylor]

One thing that struck me in the OP is who instigated the change. It appears to me that your team is more student-centered along the spectrum; I think the adult/student coach decision should be made by the students in your case, and I think it should be made for the right reasons - because it would better serve your team and its values/goals, not because "the good teams do it."
You can try alternate coaches at offseason events (IRI, CAGE Match) to see how they work out; then you can make an informed decision come Regional season.