I'm a Roberts guy. I think he wanted this to be as closed of a loop as possible. So when everyone starts getting into a frenzy because an insider leaks out interview lists, it complicates the process and people start making assumptions based on limited information. I believe Roberts took this process very seriously and the candidates mentioned were interviewed multiple times in order to cover all of the things necessary. Some crossed off boxes, some did not. If this search firm came up with Cohen, and Roberts listened to his pitch and was impressed, wouldn't you have to consider it too? I know a lot of folks here (and TOS) complain about boosters meddling and when a President does his diligence on this candidate, and all of a sudden it's an issue, it seems contradictory. You either trust a guy to find the right guy, or you don't. And since it seems like no one is ever on the same page, the President has to do what he feels like is best for the university and take emotion out of the process because it isn't a sexy name or a well-known figure.