reviewing the tape) that he thought it wasn't a hold - he said "I wouldn't have coached it any differently."

Reads as very careful, intentional wording. Likely interpretation:

1. As we know, Whit DOES and always has, coached his guys to grab, tug, and hold. But also

2. In this specific instance, Vaughn was not only beat, but beat by the primary target, Retzlaff was loaded and ready to fire once JoJo got separation, it likely would have been a big play, maybe even gone the distance, Whit would coach his guys to commit the foul and accept the risk of the penalty based on what he saw.