You are equating Jeffrey Lee and Bryan Matthews to Al.com. So you're argument is already flawed. Those guys do know things we don't and are right more than not. Al.com does not.
This search was a clown show and we were forced to settle for someone who was about our PTB's 186th option and Gus' 4/5th option.
According to J.G Taint over at Rivals, Chip was actually Gus's first choice and JJ wanted Gus to hire someone else and some big money boosters wanted a hire that was different from what Gus wanted and what JJ wanted. If true, then fuck JJ in the ear with an ice pick. You hired the man, get out of his way and let him hire and run the show how he sees fit. If he succeeds then great, you look good, if he fails, then fire his ass. Also fuck the boosters for having that much influence over the program.
For some reason I can believe J.G's story. By not letting Gus hire who he wanted from day one and fighting him for a week, the PTB and JJ made this a circus and embarrassed Auburn in the process.