Here's what I know or what I've heard and feel comfortable posting:
Florida State offensive coordinator James Coley's telling his recruits there's no truth to any rumors that he's in contention for the FIU job. Then again, that's what he better tell those recruits. There's no upside to him saying, "Yeah, I'm trying to build a bond with you and gain your trust to get you to come to Florida State, but I might not even be there next year." And there's no downside to telling them he's not in contention. If he winds up leaving for FIU, those aren't his recruits who feel deceived.
Folks acting as a go-between for Coley contacted FIU soon after Mario Cristobal's firing. That's a common practice. The coach can then say with honesty and a straight face that he hasn't talked to another school. Coley's wires and those representing an SEC assistant were told the same thing at that time: This is Butch Davis' job.
In addition to Manny Diaz and Brian Jenkins, fired Purdue coach Danny Hope and former longtime Florida State assistant and North Carolina State head coach Chuck Amato, now Akron's defensive coordinator, have interviewed for the job. Butch Davis' conversations with FIU athletic director Pete Garcia have been, allegedly, of a consultant variety.
There's been no meeting with the players or broad communication to let them know of transfer procedures. Defensive lineman Fadol Brown, who showed flashes of tremendous potential as a freshman, has asked for his release. It hasn't been granted yet.
One SEC assisstant and two former SEC head coaches have interest in the job and haven't been able to get callbacks from FIU.
T.Y. Hilton finished the season with 50 catches for 861 yards (17.2 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns receiving and 11.5 yards per punt return with one touchdown. Tight end Michael Egnew dressed for two Dolphins games. Zero catches. Zero yards. Average yards per catch: 0.0.
