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Head coach Jimbo Fisher feels he is close to making a decision regarding his defensive coordinator. Fisher is looking to replace Mark Stoops who accepted the head coaching job at Kentucky before the ACC Championship Game.

Fisher also needs to replace defensive ends coach D.J. Elliot, who is joining Stoops in Kentucky as his DC, and running backs coach and special teams coordinator Eddie Gran, who is headed to Cincinnati as the offensive coordinator.

Fisher said he has had a good week on the road talking with candidates and visiting recruits before beginning preparations for Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl on Friday

"It's been great. About done," Fisher said. "Had a great week. Know exactly what we're going to do and how we're going to do it. Have for the whole time."

While he wouldn't elaborate further on specifics, Fisher did say it's possible an announcement could be made before Orange Bowl. Tidesports.com reported that Fisher interviewed Alabama secondary coach Jeremy Pruitt on Friday. Other candidates believed to be in the mix are New Orleans Saints' defensive line coach Travis Johonson and former Tennessee defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri among others.

Fisher did say his ideal candidates are secondary or linebacker position coaches because of the way the game is played now. He also said that he is evaluating coordinators and coaches based on the players he currently has on his roster.

"Every decision I've made towards a coordinator has them in mind," Fisher said. "I'm making decisions based off the players we have here. What kind of coordinator, what kind of style would fit the players we have, what I want to do on defense, what I want to do on offense, what I want to do on special teams. From that standpoint, every decision I have, and the people I'm interviewing and the people I'm talking to, have our players at heart. And that's every decision I'm trying to make."

Sophomore defensive back Karlos Williams said he isn't paying too much attention to who Fisher will hire, but he is ready to earn his spot when a hire is made.

"Whoever comes in I hope he has a good scheme that fits me," Williams said. "I hope I fit his defensive playbook and I have to learn it as fast as possible and just get ready to go play football."

Fans have gotten restless over the last few weeks about the lack of a hire, but Fisher said it hasn't affected Florida State the least bit on the recruiting trail.

"I always had a whole plan the whole time," Fisher said." I knew what it was. It's not important to do it quickly, it's important to do it right. That's the key. We've had a couple commitments- a defensive end commitment since- we knew what we were going to do and how we were going to do it. People believe in the program. As long as the head coach doesn't change, nothing changes. The philosophies and the way we play defense, the way we play offense and the way we do special teams is not going to change. Hopefully we'll be able to keep winning 11 to 12 games a year and be successful."