The Jeff Casteel rumor can probably shrivel up now that Mark Stoops is the defensive coordinator at FSU. It’s part head-coach-still-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher’s staff reconfiguration. The Clarksburg native has told three assistants and the strength and conditioning coach they won’t be retained. Previously, defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews announced he’d retire at the end of the season.

Two of the four assistants have been replaced, most notably Stoops, who left his brother’s side and a D.C. position at Arizona. Stoops coaches the secondary, meaning the team still does need a linebackers coach to replace displaced Chuck Amato, though it seems a reach to think Casteel would do such a thing.

All in all, it’s just another dynamic to the Gator Bowl.

While the new staff is still being put in place in Tallahassee, the current staff still has a Gator Bowl to prepare for. Fisher was asked if noticed any awkwardness between him and the four coaches he won’t be retaining — linebackers coach Chuck Amato, running backs coach Dexter Carter, special teams/defensive ends coach Jody Allen and strength and conditioning coach Todd Stroud.

“Everything’s been very professional,” Fisher said. “Everybody has worked very hard. We still talk. We still smile at each other. Went to a Christmas party [Sunday] at Coach Bowden’s house. Had dinner together.

 “People that are in this business understand that sometimes, unfortunately, that’s part of it. That shows you their character and who they are and what they are, and why Coach Bowden had them on his staff.”