I would say that, except he sounds more like a development guru than a strategist which I think is probably more the nature of the job. There's a reason Chip Engelland hasn't gotten that promotion.Johnnie Bryant promotion + long term contract please.
However, I know jack ****.
It also seems like top assistants are the first to get poached and I'd rather that not happen. So maybe just offer him a ****-ton of money and he can (continue to?) head the development program.