Another week down in the search for a new head coach for the Florida Gators, and we still don't have a ton of clarity. Most fans want Lane Kiffin, the betting markets like Kiffin, and Kiffin has done nothing to quell the rumors.
But as the search marches on, we have shuffled our power rankings for who we here at Hail Florida Hail would want as the new coach. These are not based on who will become the coach, but rather on the names that have been tossed around and how well they themselves are looking
No. 10 Eli Drinkwitz - Missouri
Once again, Eli Drinkwitz had a chance to play a top ten opponent, and once again, he fell short. Missouri wasn't even close against Texas A&M, and Missouri players basically admitted that A&M players knew their plays.
As we have said throughout, Drinkwitz has "risen up" these past three years thanks to a soft schedule that has been exposed anytime they play someone good.
No. 9 Jon Gruden - Barstool Sports
The former Super Bowl winner still has zero real momentum behind him, and we think he would fall flat on his face, but at this point, we would rather take a chance on Gruden rather than knowing the ceiling that Drinkwitz has.
No. 8 James Franklin - Penn State
His name keeps getting tossed around, but at this point it appears there is momentum to wind up at Virginia Tech.
Which, to be honest, is the perfect type of place for James Franklin.
No. 7 Brent Key - Georgia Tech
He's the perfect type of coach for a place like Georgia Tech, but as we have said, his "bully ball" style just isn't a great fit for Florida.
Tech lost to NC State last week and had a bye week this week. They are still in the running to win the ACC and make the playoffs.
No. 6 Glenn Schumann - Georgia
The Georgia defensive coordinator has had his name thrown around by some publications, and if Florida hits paydirt, they could be landing the next Dan Lanning.
But hiring a coordinator over a head coach has risk to it, one that Florida might not be able to make at this point.
No. 5 Jedd Fisch - Washington
We have said throughout that even though Jedd Fisch is a Florida alum and has had some success here and there, he just doesn't have that "it" factor.
This weekend he fell flat on his face with a 13-10 loss to Wisconsin.
No. 4 Jeff Brohm - Louisville
Another coach, where if you squint, you can convince yourself he is the one, but he is also a guy that just doesn't have "it" all the time.
The Cardinals lost in overtime to Cal this weekend to essentially end their playoff hopes.
No. 3 Brian Hartline - Ohio State
Another 34-point output for Ohio State, who have yet to be challenged since this opener against Texas.
And even though we don't love the idea of a coordinator taking over, we would rather take a gamble on Brian Hartline ahead of some others.
No. 2 Lincoln Riley - USC
On3's Josh Pate hinted last week that Lincoln Riley may look to get out of Los Angeles. And after beating Northwestern this past weekend, USC is sitting firmly on the fringe of playoff contention if it can win out, which would mean needing to beat No. 7 Oregon.
But given Riley's pedigree with offenses, there is a pathway it could work out in Gainesville.
He did claim he "wasn't going anywhere" this weekend, but we have seen this story play out before.
No. 1 Lane Kiffin - Ole Miss
It's still Lane or bust if we are being honest.
This week, we get the Lane Kiffin Bowl, where it feels like there is a non-zero chance Kiffin could announce he is signing an extension just to stick it to Gator fans.
But if we go another week and there is no extension, expect the smoke to build more and more.