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With one more backup option gone, Florida edges further into Lane Kiffin or bust

The number of Plan B options are thin if Kiffin falls through
ByBenjamin Henderson|
Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

As the decision of Lane Kiffin's next destination is bound to be revealed in the next 24 hours, the reality for the Florida Gators is that either they have practically pushed all their chips in on Kiffin.

If the gamble pays off, the Gators might be set up for the next decade. If they bust, we might be back here in about three years looking for the successor of Billy Napier's successor.

Clark Lea extends with Vanderbilt

One day after Eli Drinkwitz extended with Missouri, Clark Lea has extended with Vanderbilt. While we didn't have Lea on our coaching power rankings lists because it didn't seem like he was on the radar for Florida, Chris Low of On3 Sports reported that the Gators did interview Lea last week.

Had Lea been the Plan B option for Florida, most Gator fans seemed torn on whether he would be a good fit. For the record, we here at Hail Florida Hail would have taken Lea over Drinkwitz if those were the only two candidates available. While some could argue Lea is benefiting from some of the same smoke and mirrors that Drinkwitz has, the reality is that Lea is one win away from the first 10-win season in Vanderbilt history.

So what happens now if Kiffin falls through with Drinkwitz and Lea off the table, along with it looking like USF coach Alex Golesh will be somewhere besides Gainesville?

The two names with the most public buzz are Tulane coach Jon Sumrall and Washington coach Jedd Fisch. Florida was slated to interview Sumrall last week, but those plans seemingly got shot down. Fisch keeps getting his name tossed around in large part because he is a Florida grad who got his coaching start as a GA under Steve Spurrier.

Beyond those two, it is seemingly slim pickings for the Gators. There has been no public buzz of Florida trying to pursuea rising coordinator or any other wildcard-type candidate.

And so, as we have said, Scott Stricklin is either going to pull off a masterclass behind the scenes and land Kiffin when no one in the national media thinks he is going to do so, or he is going to faceplant without many options to faceplant into.

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