I think you are missing some important points

Yes college coaches are basically worthless during the fall season. Even in the Spring it is the college asssistants only that are able to make an Impact at the club level. That is all true.

Here is what you are missing. Take a state like NC. If you have 16 D1 teams how many former players do you think stay and live in that state. The RTP area, Greensboro and Charlotte areas are loaded with with ACC players plus other former players from other high level teams. A state like that has a tremendous pool to pick from for Club coaches. What does Ga have. A bunch of people that played at Berry or West Ga that maybe played a little minor league pro soccer.

The avaerage level of soccer knowledge walking around GA id pretty low and not producing many D1 players in the state has a lot to do with that.