They went after Stoops hard with the 3rd party people, hence the week of no news and now all of a sudden there are interviews and talks with Kelly.
Stoops offer was the biggest ever to a coach but incentives and clauses in his oky contract made it at least "ball park" with Notre Dame's offer. Wasnt about money as much as he likes it at ok.
His non denial denials and the such were more meant out of respect to ND, he didnt want the guy they hire to appear as not the first choice of ND. Thats why he wouldnt even confirm contact or really, anything.