Chris Hill tried to force Whitt out, he could have been gotten then, too. And their certainly were rumblings about it. But, BYU did not have an opening and were apparently not willing to create one and write a big check. Whitt turned that season around, finishing strong, and Hill was stuck with him. If this does not sound familiar to you - research why Sitake et al ended up at Oregon State, etc. Assistants were disrespected by Hill, contracts were not renewed, etc.
I fully agree that Whitt would not come now - Hill is gone - that power struggle is over - Whitt is secure and happy where he is.