Of course it does, but I could not tell you the "top 5" DO programs in the country, and I bet most GI PDs could not either.
Are there DOs that match GI? Of course, but you need to have a backup plan, and be OK with practicing gen med if it does not work out. Is this guy one of the best 20 DOs in the country, and have the connections to pull off a match? I don't know, but to say "things will work out" and he "shouldn't have a problem" is blind optimism.
More GI spots go to IMGs than go do DOs.
There are only 325 clinical GI spots in the country. Add in research tracks and you get to 433.
http://gi.org/fellows-in-training/gi-fellowship-match/#statistics
In comparison, there are 2,427 cardiology spots.
http://www.cardiosource.org/en/Prac...-and-Practice-Solutions/Workforce-Trends.aspx
I don't want to discourage anyone. The same generic advice holds true to any applicant, work hard, be a good resident, do productive research, and go to the best program you can. You also need to be prepared, and understand the reality of the challenge.