It’s probably because the interview process relied heavily on leetcode questions. If it did, one can effectively prepare for that and only that and can be overemployed.
No explanation has been provided to show hes good at leetcode either.
Is it still common to ask leetcode questions during interview?
I assume its because his resume showed hes worked at sexy startups recently (true or not)
Having worked at sexy-startup for 9 months recently with a good excuse why you left would get your resume to the top of the pile if it was read