I agree that Ted Carter pushed for the Rhule hire.There is video out there of Alberts lavishing praise on MJ, and then also doing the same to MR during his hire.
Administrators have to be good liars (too strong of a word maybe) but their job is to smooth things over. So getting at the truth of things behind closed doors isn't very easy, because you cannot rely on what is said to the public at face value and have to look at circumstantial evidence.
The way coach Rhule thanked Ted Carter, and Ted's own unsolicited remarks make me think it's more likely that Ted pushed for this hire. You don't have to agree with me.
If this hire goes bad, you are free to blame Trev Alberts. I am just offering a reason why maybe that shouldn't be the case.
I also don't believe what you said about Alberts' going to hire MJ until Whipple went rogue on the offense which cost MJ the job even though MJ wasn't going to keep Whipple around anyway.
Alberts: I think I'm going to hire MJ.
Carter: Did you see that crap Whipple pulled?
Alberts: Yup, but MJ told me he wouldn't keep Whipple on his staff if he were HC going forward.
Carter: Too late. I was down for MJ too until Whipple went crazy with his play calling.
Alberts: Even though Whipple won't be around after this year?
Carter: Correct, on to Rhule!
I'm guessing Mickey's lack of HC experience is what kept him from being the main man here.