I don't know for sure, but I doubt Brands was after him. I think this is a situation where Cooper wants to be a Hawkeye, and after "cleaning up his act" at Upper Iowa, I am sure there was still an open door policy, as long as you don't create any more problems.
I just wouldn't think that Brands was at some point thinking, "Cooper has been pretty clean, and we need him for the upcoming season, let's go get him."
No disrespect but who cares if they have cooper, his mat time has never been the problem his behavior and character is the downfall and if he can not correct that then he will be out of there again, I do not think that the Brands/Hawks will get rid of him as fast as they get him.