I don't know. Maybe I'm out of state and you're not and they meant in-state only or something like that? If you are out of state then that obviously doesn't make sense. I interviewed early November, but again unless you were asking only about the post Dec interviews that shouldn't matter.
I really don't know. Again, I got a call last Friday, got my written offer in e-mail. I've had about half a dozen phone calls with different people there and have now finished the background check, sent in my deposit and am sending in my official acceptance tomorrow. I only say that to say that I'm not exaggerating something like them telling me I was in good position or a misunderstanding. The person you talked to was either not informed that they had made an offer on Friday or didn't want to share or something else. Either way, good luck.