I mean, yeah, what is he supposed to say?
I don't believe it was a case of dying on a hill, just everyone showing a united front by being on the same page. I certainly know that McDermott didn't think that Coleman would be his undoing.
I will say this, I'd be feeling some type of way if I were Coleman right now. If this doesn't motivate him to raise his game, then maybe he can't raise it.
Lastly, I don't know that McDermott will let that slide if it's not really true. I wouldn't.