he's going to be so, so sad when he still doesn't get interviewed 
That statement wasn't intended for Frank. That statement was to make it seem like Miami wasn't completely resigned to hiring one of those scrubs on their current list.
Now the AD can say that they looked at all available applicants, and Jeff Capel was the best fit for Miami (because that's who the search firm told them to go with).
It's not like the interim AD was really holding up the process, here. Whatever it was that prevented them from hiring Frank 48 hours ago is still in place.
stupidity is correctable, even by stupid people and even if by accident.
You're making the assumption that the AD has power in this scenario.
It sounds like Shalala (or someone else) has been pulling the strings for some time. Hence why they hired Al Golden, why Hocutt left for Tech, and why their list of applicants looked like a list you'd see at Wichita State.
I'm sure the AD has been briefed on what they want to see in a coach hired at UM, and Frank Martin does not fit that mold.
These situations are fluid and can change and adjust drastically depending on the current dynamic.
Here's what is in play now that wasn't two days ago: Their top target rejects them to stay at Harvard (lol). They now have added their AD to the committee.
And I don't agree that this AD is in a powerless position in the scenario, willing to passively sit back and let this search firm manage the process simply because they started it. Every AD wants their fingerprints on the hires and personell within their department. I highly doubt he will not be playing an active role in this hire now and may possibly bring more candidates into the fold, one of them probably being Frank.
