re: Who would have been a good hire?

This is about as safe of a hire as it can get. There were going to be risks with every single one of these candidates other than Kirby, but his accomplishments in such a short period of time makes him the "best" risk. The guy has flat out won everywhere he's been. He's already 5-0 against two of the other candidates (with lesser talent), Lanning and Sark.