The Seminoles are on a bye this week, but Florida State's coaching search rolls on. You can follow all our our coaching search updates HERE.

Noles247 has learned of developments regarding one candidate who was on our initial hot board, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. Here's what Noles247's Josh Newberg is hearing about Stoops, a meeting with FSU and where things stand for the former Seminoles assistant...

—Noles247 can confirm that Florida State officials met with Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops last week in Cincinnati, Ohio. Stoops interviewed for FSU’s head coaching position. Stoops was not offered the job and we do not expect Stoops to meet with FSU officials again.

— Although the interview went well, a week later, a source close to Stoops tells Noles247 that he does not consider himself a candidate for the job.

— According to a source, Stoops did not know which direction Thrasher and Coburn are headed with their search, but he did say he feels FSU is looking to go “big game hunting” with the upcoming hire.

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My biggest takeaway here is two-fold. We can take Mark Stoops off our coaching hot boards. But it also tells me FSU is looking to make a splash hire. Thrasher isn’t asking top level boosters for extra money to hire FSU's defensive line coach Odell Haggins. They’re swinging for the fences right now. Haggins could come back into play if FSU misses on a few big names, but right now the focus of the search is on more established coaches.