Posted by: Josh Kendall on November 28, 2012

Jimbo Fisher keeps a list of possible assistant coaching hires in his mind at all times, and he'll have to consult that list now that defensive coordinator Mark Stoops is off coach Kentucky. That will wait, though, until after Saturday's ACC championship game against Georgia Tech.

"We will start that next week," Fisher said after Tuesday's practice. "I will look at my list and see what's out there and make a decision. I know what my process is going to be, but I haven't had time to think about it."

Replacing assistant coaches, at least for this reason, is a problem Fisher wouldn't mind having the rest of his career, he said. Fisher will never "try to hinder a guy from advancing," he said.

"I have been in those shoes," he said. "I want to be known as a guy who helps guys get jobs. I'm very proud of (Stoops), very happy for him, elated for him. Those are things that are indicative of the players we have, the way he has coached and our program that people want to hire our coaches. Players want to go somewhere and get developed so they have an opportunity to go to pro ball and do well. I think coaches want to do that, too."

Stoops will coach for Florida State on Saturday, but he and Fisher have not discussed the bowl game, Fisher said. Fisher predicts Stoops will be successful because he loves the business.

"Coaches who advance in this business, they couldn't do anything else," he said with a laugh. "Because if you could, you would. You wouldn't go through all this."

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Josh Kendall is a staff writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered the SEC for more than 15 years for papers such as the Athens Banner-Herald, Macon Telegraph, and The State. He’s the father of two boys who he’s hoping don’t inherit his wide receiver frame and offensive guard feet. Follow @EyeOnCoaches on twitter and send your feedback to josh@coachingsearch.com