Today during the Florida State press conference, head coach Jimbo Fisher was asked to comment on reports that defensive coordinator Mark Stoops had interviewed anywhere, including Kentucky, as CBS reported over the weekend.

As you can see in the video linked above (let it load after hitting play), Fisher came ready for the question, it seems. First he says he won't comment on coaching changes, then makes sure to deny that Stoops has interviewed anywhere, before again saying he won't comment on issues like that during the season.

He then says (paraphrasing here) that Mark deserves a job, would be happy for him if he gets the right opportunity, and that he'd like him to stay for as long as he likes.

Fisher then notes that if Mark leaves, he'll get another great defensive coordinator to take his place and that Florida State is a great place for a defensive coordinator to work because of the athletes, tradition, etc. He also noted that he has a list of names he keeps, because he expects staff turnover as it is how football works if a staff is doing well.

Analysis: What more can he say? I sometimes criticize Fisher for not being truthful with the media when deception is not to his advantage, or seemingly being unprepared for certain issues by the FSU staff (or, as is sometimes the case, ignoring the media staff's advice). But he handled this about as well as he could have.

He has to deny knowledge of Stoops interviewing with Kentucky, the truthfulness of the report be damned. He's trying to recruit players to come to Florida State who just finished Sunday hanging out with Mark Stoops and the defensive staff.