That didn’t take long.
As expected, Kentucky’s Mark Stoops is on several lists as a potential head coach at Florida State.
Here is an excerpt from CBS Sports, that includes both Mark Stoops and his brother, Bob:
If you’re a dreamer …
Bob Stoops, XFL coach and former Oklahoma coach: Stoops stepped down from Oklahoma when he could have possibly added another national title to his resume. He was ready to walk away from college football, but what if he’s itching to get back in the game? He has since accepted a job coaching the XFL’s Dallas Renegades, so he clearly wants to be around football. But does he want to go back to the 24/7, 365 lifestyle that is college coaching? Couldn’t hurt to ask!
Urban Meyer, former Florida and Ohio State coach: Florida State’s made it clear that this isn’t going to happen, nor do I think it’s realistic. But … he’s Meyer. Would the USC job be a better fit? Yes. Would Florida fans throw a fit? Yes. I feel like not considering it is doing a disservice to your program, but if you’re Meyer, you probably want to step into a better situation (like USC … or Notre Dame one day in the future). Meyer has also been on a bit of a reclamation tore with Gators fans since he left the Buckeyes.
If you’re a realist …
Mark Stoops, Kentucky coach: If you can’t get Bob Stoops, why not his brother? He doesn’t get much national attention, but Mark Stoops has done a fantastic job at Kentucky. Stoops spent three seasons as Florida State’s defensive coordinator before taking over a Kentucky program without much success or history, and he’s built it into something respectable. The Wildcats won 10 games in 2018 and are 4-4 this season despite being so beset by injuries that they’ve had to use a receiver at quarterback. He’s also recruited well. Given the power of Florida State behind him, he could rejuvenate the program in Tallahassee, Florida.
Mike Leach, Washington State coach: Depending on who you ask, Leach nearly left Washington State for Tennessee a couple of years ago. Given how much time he spends in Key West, Florida, you have to think he’d have some interest in coaching in the Sunshine State — even at the opposite end.
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Several other national writers have already mentioned Stoops as well:
Guessing Mark Stoops will get a lot of play for the FSU job but how much the program is willing to pay now — being on the hook for $17m to Taggart and Stoops already making nearly $5m — will be interesting.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 3, 2019
Mark Stoops and Joe Brady are two SEC guys I’d expect FSU to at least look at with Willie Taggart out.
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) November 3, 2019
