From what I gather the choices to begin with were from a group, you don't go down a check list of coaches in a process like this. That is bad business.
The group that Patterson centered around was Briles, Franklin, Mora Jr, and Strong. I listed those in alphabetical order not in AD preference. The committee/firm that was hired was to bypass job posting laws in Texas. Once the names Briles and Mora Jr were "no longer interested" that was a signal that a choice has been made and UT chose to move forward with Strong. They through in Franklin's name as a consolation prize in thanks for his participation in the process.
The names of Fisher, Gruden, Harbaughs, and Saban were names being thrown out by big money donors who think they are entrenched in the program because of access that was allowed by Deloss and Mack.
It appears that Patterson along with Strong plan to turn this into a football school again and weed out the politics by winning. The school will continue to generate ridiculous revenue and should only increase with winning.