Kirk Herbstreit thinks current SEC coach is 'obvious' fit for Florida State job
Parting ways with embattled head coach Willie Taggart after just 21 games, the Florida State Seminoles currently possess the highest profile coaching vacancy in college football.
Speaking with reporters during a teleconference on Wednesday, ESPN analyst and former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit offered an intriguing name to fill the position: Kentucky’s Mark Stoops.
Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times offered an extended look at Herbstreit’s comments:
ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit doesn't have a great read on the #FSU coaching search yet, but he did mention one obvious candidate. He's a Stoops. #Noles https://t.co/3FcRSEjvVM
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) November 7, 2019
“I think the most obvious name to come to the top of my head is Mark Stoops,” he began.
“Stoops has done a pretty good job there (Kentucky). Won 10 games last year, which is tough to do in the SEC when you’re in Lexington. And so I think he would be an obvious candidate, but there are a lot of other guys that I’m sure will be candidates.”
Having previous head coaching experience and recent success on the recruiting trail, Herbstreit thinks Stoops has the qualities FSU should pursue in their next head man.
“I think after everything they have been through for the last few years, I think they need to find somebody that’s familiar with the state as far as recruiting, somebody that’s familiar with that school and some of the ways that school works and operates.”
The younger brother of former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, Mark Stoops previously served as the defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach for the Seminoles from 2010-12.
Now in his seventh year at the helm of the Wildcats, he was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2018.
Seeking to qualify for a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season, Kentucky (4-4, 2-4 SEC) hosts Tennessee (4-5, 2-3) on Saturday at 7:30PM ET on the SEC Network.
I don’t see Stoops going to FS. I think they will go with an offensive minded coach like Lane Kiffen.
I’m not sure if Stoops has enough of a resume for what FSU wants. Kiffin would be an intriguing hire, but he’s still a gamble.
I think Dantonio, Gundy, or Leach would be good targets. They’ve had success at P5 programs with fewer resources than FSU. Any one of them might be ready to move on, especially Dantonio as he hasn’t been doing too great lately.
I agree, and think Leach might be a really good choice.
I think chad Morris would be a GREAT fit. I hope they dont come after him *wink wink*
LOL so who do you think *WILL* be next coach for the hogs, cause this dude has a fork in him.
Based on recent history, probably a guy with a red afro, red nose, oversized red shoes, and a flower pinned to their chest that squirts water.
Don’t rule out Hugh Freeze. Someone is going to get him eventually.
Huge freeze would be a great fit! Exciting offense, indeed!
He’s bizzy at Liberty now, right? Didn’t he just have a health scare, too?
Since Florida is dropping it’s football program for soccer,why not Dan Mullin for FSU coach?
what planet are you on?
If FSU is sincere in building something special why not Over His Head and i will personally pay for Moorhead moving expense!
Sometimes Lesshead is better than Morehead. Never mind
I just can’t see a program like FSU going after THIS Stoops. Yes, he’s done good things at Kentucky, but — IT’S KENTUCKY!No SEC Title games, or East Division titles. They fired Taggart after less than 2 seasons, they already took a “chance.” They are gonna pony up the money for a “sure thing” like Bama did to get Saban and A&M to get Jimbo. You want a *GOOD* coach? Get out the wallet.
if FSU is serious about winning, the only SEC coach that makes any sense is Gus Malzahn. They need to go ahead hire him and never look back.
I hope the rumors are true and F$U hires Deion Sanders. The NCAA would open a field office in Tallahassee, and have their hands full.