1 SEC head coach already being mentioned as candidate at FSU
By Keith Farner
Published:
Shortly after news spread that Willie Taggart was fired at Florida State on Sunday, a list of potential replacement candidates was developed.
A name that’s been mentioned for this job in the past quickly surfaced. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops, a former Florida State defensive coordinator from 2010-2012, was among those believed to be in consideration.
David Hale of ESPN mentioned a list would be Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, Stoops, Memphis coach Mike Norvell and Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott. “Campbell is Dabo approach with some proven results in a tough place to win. Stoops knows the lay of the land and can recruit, build a D. Norvell is offensive guru. Elliott steals from competition.”
John Clay of the Lexington Herald-Leader also agreed with the Stoops connection.
“With news that Florida State has fired Willie Taggart as football coach, look for Mark Stoops to be on media lists of possible candidates for FSU job,” Clay tweeted.
Stoops is known as having one of the more coach-friendly contracts in the country. In Stoops’ current contract, he’s guaranteed a one-year extension each time he leads Kentucky to a seven-win season, and he’s guaranteed a two-year extension each time he leads the program to a 10-win season.
At FSU, Stoops had a successful run.
He inherited a unit a unit ranked 108th in the nation in total defense and turned it into one of the nation’s best. In the 2012 season, the Seminoles were second in the nation in total defense, allowing 254.1 yards per game, and sixth nationally in scoring defense at 14.7 points per game. FSU was third in the country in rushing defense and led the nation in pass defense. FSU led the ACC in seven defensive categories. Stoops also coached the defensive backs under head coach Jimbo Fisher.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
