Kentucky coach Mark Stoops made a strong statement on Saturday after the win over UT-Martin when he was asked about his meeting with Florida State officials and interest in that job.

The former defensive coordinator at FSU was thought to be an ideal candidate for the open job coaching the Seminoles. But he quickly put that to rest.

“I’m not going to get into specifics, but I just, Florida State I had a great experience there,” Stoops said at a press conference on Saturday. “Afforded me the opportunity to be here. I love it here. Been very fortunate, I have great administration. Dr. Capilouto, Mitch Barnhart have been so good to me. The fans, our players, recruits. This is where my heart is, this is where I want to be. I’m going to be at Kentucky. Does that answer your question?”

Stoops explained the timing to make that kind of statement.

“I just felt like it was, I was answering too many questions with recruits,” he said. “Just felt like it was time to answer those questions directly and be honest with them and this is where I want to be, so this is what I want to do.”

On Monday, he was asked about it again, and he doubled down.

“I think I was pretty clear, I’m really intent on being here and building this program,” Stoops said, according to video from Willie Hope. “We have unfinished business and I’m excited about the future, so I’m pretty clear.”

A reporter added that, at least this week, according to social media, the fan base is happy with Stoops, and it wants him to stay.

“I appreciate that, thank you, keep me updated,” he said with a grin.

Stoops is 42-44 in seven years in Lexington.