Donati being behind it is speculation, but the TCU connection with him would be a pretty amazing coincidence otherwise, right?
I agree the Briles as HC wasn't explicitly sold that way, it was even called "conspiracy theory" esque. I just intended to clarify it that way before it becomes the next example of what "everyone" was saying.
Imho, the truth is pretty simple. We needed an OC. Donati had literally just worked with a guy who's looking. Boom. Done. And the guy brings his OL (or assistant OL?) coach.
It's a fact that Donati and Briles were both at TCU at the same time and it would be realistic to think they had some sort of relationship during that time and he may have told Beamer he would make an introduction if Beamer was interested in talking to Briles. What I have no evidence of is that Donati is the one who initiated and pushed for the move. He may have, he may not have and if that were the case and it didn't work out then that gives Beamer the built-in excuse that it's Donati's fault, not his, because he didn't get to hire the guy he wanted. That seems like a poor strategy for a number of reasons.
My main point was how there are so many people who can't seem to be "happy" or hopeful for more than a minute before returning to the pessimism. It wasn't a shot at you, just an observation of the overall tone by many as evidenced by the posts. "Hey! We just won the Super Bowl!"
"Don't get so excited; it's just a plot to make sure we get the last pick in next year's draft." It seems Debbie Downer has brothers.