Wrong. Casserio wanted Flores, not Gannon. Gannon was the last guy standing after Flores started flinging around lawsuits. So, I wouldn't say he wanted Gannon. He was a 2nd choice at best and nobody was left. Nick was a Flores guy for sure - NE connections.
Gannon said heck no when controlling Casserio said I'm going to select your DC (at the least, and perhaps more). Whether Nick or Cal wanted Lovie I don't know - you've speculated Cal with no evidence to back it up. All I know is someone demanded that Lovie be the DC, and Gannon said you want me to work with a relic from the paleo era? No thanks.
Then Easterbunny got involved and Cal loves him some Easterbunny. EB says, hey Cal, how about McCown. He'd make a great HC.
After Nick did whatever he could do to persuade Cal against McCown...Cal says heck no. Now they are in no man's land. They have no candidates, they look like a bunch of clueless idiots, all the other good candidates are gone, you've burned your bridge with Gannon, Flores is too hot to the touch, and it's desperation time and the clock is ticking. It didn't help that they waited forever to ditch Culley...which only happened because Flores was chunked overboard. The original plan was 2 years of Culley but Car Stereo loves Flores. Flores was his guy - zero doubt in my mind. So then Cal says someone has to be the HC! Help!
So out of pure desperation, they turn to Lovie to save the day. Lovie isn't dumb. He knew he was dead man walking, but he took the job for the dough and out of ego...thinking well I'll end up showing up and showing out, and they will retain me. Sorry Lovie. That idea failed. But you've still got your $$$ and took Cal to the cleaners when dumbass Cal got desperate.
This is what happened last year. Whether Cal had an ephinany or a brain transplant, he's actually done a 180 this year. Not having Easterbunny in his ear helps, but they tossed Lovie before the plane touched down, the candidate list is excellent, and things are running like a well-oiled machine. It's a remarkable difference when you consider the last two years.