Rumor control: Florida State sets the record straight on Bob Stoops, football coach search

Wayne McGahee III | Tallahassee Democrat

Show Caption Hide Caption Inside Bob Stoops' rebound at Oklahoma USA TODAY Sports' Nancy Armour breaks down how Bob Stoops went from out the door at Oklahoma to on the doorstep of a National Championship.

Florida State's director of athletics pumped the brakes on Bob Stoops-to-Tallahassee rumors Tuesday.

The coaching speculation surrounding Florida State’s next football hire went from zero to 100 mph Monday.

The Seminoles immediately got started on the process of finding a next head coach after firing Willie Taggart Sunday. FSU also quickly brought on Glenn Sugiyama of DHR International to run its search Monday.

As the rumors swirl in social media, David Coburn spoke with the Democrat to set the record straight.

Fact: Bob Stoops is 'on the list'

Former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops is the top target for FSU, according to multiple Democrat sources.

While Coburn didn't go that far, he acknowledged Stoops is a candidate.

"He’s on the list, and he’s certainly somebody we would consider," Coburn said.

FSU has made contact with Stoops about the opening and there is interest from his side, according to sources.

Rumor: A deal with Stoops is imminent

Multiple reports came out Monday that a deal with Stoops was very close and that the deal would be done in days. A morning radio talk show said Tuesday morning the deal would be done Thursday.

Sources have told the Democrat that FSU will let the search committee it hired do its job of vetting the top candidates for the opening.

Coburn also fired back at the timeline.

More form NoleSports:

"Rumors we are close to an agreement with Bob Stoops are untrue," Coburn said. "We are on schedule to have someone in this position by end of the month... Chances of something happening this week are virtually zero."

Coburn said during his press conference Monday that FSU would like to have a coach in place by the end of the season, if not sooner.

"Stoops hasn’t been offered a contract," Coburn told the Democrat..

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Rumor: Stoops met with FSU in Tallahassee

What about Stoops’ much-rumored visit to Tallahassee Monday?

That was news to Coburn.

“He hasn’t been in town to meet with FSU,” Coburn said.

Stoops also tweeted two photos Monday night from the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Fla.

FSU athletics holds press conference on firing of Coach Willie Taggart Interim Athletics Director David Coburn: "I had to fire a friend yesterday."

Reach Wayne McGahee III at wmcgahee@tallahassee.com.