I don't think it was that Briles thought he was too good. Y'all already know about the hatred between UT and Baylor. Steve Patterson selecting Briles after a sit down was no sure thing. Patterson didn't really want Briles, but some of the BMDs did. Baylor would have gone batshit crazy if Briles had done one. I'm talking Jessica Walters "Play Misty for Me" crazy, not some pussy "I'm going to throw your clothes on the bed and set them on fire" crazy. Without a guarantee of the job, Briles wasn't going to take the chance.
Gary Patterson ain't coming. Patterson was never coming. Patterson loves TCU. TCU loves Patterson. No way he leaves his comfy confines for a place with more drama than a Denny's that has a waitress that's screwing half the kitchen staff.
Right now, UT has to roll with Herman. This is not considered the plum coaching job it once was. On this board, it was a foregone conclusion that Mack was a terrible man that should have been fired and shot, but most outsiders didn't see it that way. They saw the University firing a guy that usually won ten games a year, brought a natty, and played for the B12 championship the year he got fired. Strong was fired after three years, and we're talking about firing Herman two games into his second season. References to Steinbeck aside, what top tier coach wants to be at a school that is going to fire coaches that quickly?
That said, I've interviewed Herman twice, and. he didn't impress me. OTOH, I don't give a crap if he quotes Percy Shelley, if they'll start winning some games.