If the reports are true, Lane Kiffin will spurn Florida to take the LSU job, leaving the Gators with no clear plan of where to go next.
It's the worst possible outcome for Florida, who had made Kiffin their top choice and were aggressively pursuing the Ole Miss coach to make his next home in Gainesville. The reports are that LSU will make Kiffin one of the highest-paid coaches in college football with additional funds for the roster.
NEW: LSU is finalizing an offer of roughly $90 million for Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, @RossDellenger reports💰
— On3 (@On3sports) November 22, 2025
In addition, the Tigers would be offering roster cash worth around $25 million annually.https://t.co/6c0wJdmtgI pic.twitter.com/M0FJ7BDRsN
Florida fired Billy Napier on October 19 after a 3-4 start to the season. From the minute the ink dried on Napier's termination papers, Kiffin was thought to be the number one choice for the Gators. Back when Napier was hired in 2022, there were reports that Kiffin was trying to work back channels to make a play for the job.
Kiffin's ties to Florida include his relationship with former Gators coach Steve Spurrier. He wears a visor on the sidelines in direct homage to Spurrier. Kiffin's ex-wife, Layla Reaves Kiffin, is the daughter of legendary Gators quarterback John Reaves.
Spurrier recently endorsed Kiffin for the Gators job, but also mentioned Eli Drinkwitz as a possible replacement.
Who are the remaining candidates?
Obviously, if Spurrier likes Drinkwitz, one has to believe the Missouri coach is in the picture. He's also a potential candidate for the Penn State job, but Drinkwitz's experience in the SEC along with leading the Tigers to 28 wins (and counting) over the past three seasons.
Is Eli Drinkwitz the NEXT BEST OPTION for the Florida Gators?@Trent1010XL gives you all the details you need on Florida's reported #2 head coaching pick on Gator Watch!#GoGators | #FloridaGators pic.twitter.com/la7MXi5mjA
— 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) November 20, 2025
A reported interview with Tulane coach Jon Sumrall was canceled, but there could be a chance for the Gators administration to re-open discussions with Sumrall if that's where they decide to go.
It doesn't appear like the Gators will go after a top assistant like Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, but looking to the NFL ranks could be a possibility. If that's the case, don't be surprised to hear Joe Brady's name come up. The Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator was at LSU for the Tigers' historic 2019 season and is expected to be a candidate for head coaching jobs in college and the NFL.
Another wild possibility is former NFL coach Jon Gruden, who lives in Florida and has expressed an interest in coaching again. Gruden has ben mentioned as a candidate, but there is a lot of concern about his potential fit in the college game.