Think about it for a minute though...if the SID wanted to make OB and other sites look bad, would they really have someone dispute that Austin was the guy, only to hire him later? That would make OB and everyone else that stuck by the story look better, not worse. So, I think that AC's information was legit - i.e. no offer has been made.
If they wanted people to question the source, this is probably what they thought of as the best way to do it. They didn't have much other choice if they wanted to try and mess with us. What else would they do? They already have people doubting that is Austin, look around.
Bellmont wants to delay the information about who was hired as DC until the posting has been up the supposedly requisite amount of time. But Austin was found to be the guy. OB has good sources, and the largest subscription base. Someone comes on here, says they are from Seattle, a place with ties to Austin and Jerry Gray, posts info from Coryell, etc. and attempts to place info out there that people believed. Look at Coryell's old threads.
Today's entire post isn't what I would be referring to, as I think the Akina/Applewhite stuff was true, that they were sticking, I am referring back to when AirCoryell disputed the Austin information, and further today put it out there. Too bad the next time AirCoryell tried to post some info to further try and throw OB posters off the scent, TexasSID forgot to log out.
I hear what you are saying. I'm thinking long term. If they are trying to damage the credibility of mods on this site (and others), then it does them no good to dispute the information that was put out, only for it to be proven to be correct. This just reinforces the credibility of the site.
On the other hand, from a short term perspective, then it makes sense as you suggest - i.e. creating a smokescreen until the hiring is announced.