Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John Deere Hydra 185 Kawasaki FC450V no start, lines tank, spark plug wire

Question
Riding lawn mower won't start. First thought it was a fuel problem because fuel tank appeared dirty in bottom. So, cleaned carb, fuel lines, tank, and replaced fuel filter (old one was dirty). Only thing in fuel system not cleaned was fuel pump but am getting fuel fine at carb so am confident that is fine. Put things back together thinking that was probably why it quit running. Wouldn't start even with starting fluid. Checked for spark, none. Replaced spark plug. Still no spark. Removed top sheet metal engine cover and there was a ton of debris and I think a mouse nest. That scared me so I checked over all the wiring. Everything seems fine. No chew marks or anything. The debris was very tightly packed in there and completely clogged all of the cooling fins in the cylinder head and block. Cleaned all that out and blew it all off. The mower is very clean at this point. Was going to check the wires that go to the stator under the flywheel since I couldn't see them all the way to where they were connect but couldn't get the flywheel off. Removed the big hold down bolt but the flywheel was stuck on there.

Anyways, do you think that the coil could have failed due to heat because of the debris blocking the cooling vents? It would be subject to the heat as it is under that top sheet metal cover. I checked both the seat and brake switch and they are operating. Any thoughts before I buy a $51 coil?  

Answer
I haven't worked on that engine in a long time so I need some info from you about the igntion module.

On the module, there is obviously the spark plug wire.  How many other other wires are connected to the coil and what do they connect to?

If there is only one other wire, and if it does not connect to any other modules then the coil is a self-contained unit.

What does this mean to you?  If there is only one wire, and it does not connect to any other modules then you can dis-connect the wire to check for spark.  With the wire dis-connected and the spark plug removed, crank the engine while grounding the spark plug to the metal engine casing and check for spark.  If you see spark then the coil is fine and you have a wiring or safety switch problem.

Let me know what other modules, if any, the coil is connected to.
Eric