Kyle Tucker of the Courrier Journal is a respected journalist. So when he said last night that a trusted source told him Florida State defensive coordinator Mark Stoops had told Kentucky "no thanks," I listened.

Per a source inside UK athletics, Butch Jones, Sonny Dykes and Mark Stoops have all said "no thanks" to Kentucky.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) November 27, 2012

Mike MacIntyre and one other unnamed coach still on UK's radar, per source.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) November 27, 2012

Source on UK football search: "All the agents are telling their coaches it's a dead-end job and if they're an up-and-comer, don't touch it."

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) November 27, 2012

He's right. Kentucky is a dead-end job. Even if Kentucky is at its absolute best, it's still an underdog in 4 of its 7 yearly non-conference games. It's potentially possible to use it as a stepping-stone job like James Franklin did at Vanderbilt, but everything must break right, and the coach must then leave as soon as it does (see Dan Mullen staying too long at Mississippi State).

But now Tucker says his source had bad information and that Stoops is still considering the job.

Things changing. Stoops apparently is still in play and UK pushing for a quick resolution.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) November 27, 2012

Certainly possible I got bad info on Stoops last night. If so, sincere apologies. Also possible things changed. Either way, Stoops in play.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) November 27, 2012

I certainly wouldn't knowingly put out something wrong. When someone connected directly to the program talks, I listen.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) November 27, 2012

More importantly, it sounds like this search is winding down and among the names still in play, UK is going to get a strong coach.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) November 27, 2012

Interesting stuff here.

As I've said before, Mark Stoops is a defensive coordinator. He transformed Florida state's defense from one of the worst in the BCS (2009) to a respectable defense in 2010, into a top-ten unit in 2011 and 2012. But his schemes are not revolutionary, nor is he a huge loss on the recruiting trail. As Jimbo Fisher noted yesterday, and not in any way a slight to Stoops' ability, many top defensive coordinators would love a chance to coach for Florida State.