Head Coaching Candidates 2025 (Here we go again!)

[Escambia94]

It is too early to definitively state that William Hall Napier's days are numbered in Gainesville. Here is the updated list of top head coaching candidates. I have grouped the candidates into the following:
A = national championship coach (+ indicates more recent, - indicates older championships, * indicates Super Bowl)
B = winning percentage above 70% (+ indicates power conference champions)
C = winning percentage above 65%
D = winning percentage above 50%

Any coach in group C is just another Billy Napier. The coaches in group B are happily employed elsewhere, with the exception of Mark Helfrich. That brings us to group A, which is full of unrealistic candidates.

My ranking of viable candidates that Jimmy Sexton or Trace Armstrong or Bob Lamonte can bring to Florida:
Curt Cignetti
Mark Helfrich

My list of crazy candidates:
Les Miles
Ed Orgeron

My list of intriguing candidates:
Jon Gruden

Group	Name	National Championships	Head Coaching Years	Career Record	Current/ Last Team	Agent
A+	Ryan Day	1 (2024)	7	87.30%	Ohio State	Trace Armstrong
A	Urban Meyer	3 (2006, 2008, 2014)	17	85.40%	Jacksonville Jaguars (2021)	Trace Armstrong
A+	Kirby Smart	2 (2021, 2022)	10	84.70%	Georgia	Jimmy Sexton
B+	Lincoln Riley	0	9	82.60%	USC	Trace Armstrong
B+	Curt Cignetti	0	15	80.40%	Indiana	N/A
A	Dabo Swinney	2 (2016, 2018)	18	79.30%	Clemson	Jimmy Sexton
B+	Kalen DeBoer	0	6	77.00%	Alabama	Jimmy Sexton
B-	Mark Helfrich	0	4	74.40%	Chicago Bears (Offensive Coordinator, 2019)	Jimmy Sexton
B	Josh Heupel	0	7	74.40%	Tennessee	Jimmy Sexton
B	Brian Kelly	0	33	73.20%	LSU	Jimmy Sexton
A	Jimbo Fisher	1 (2013)	14	72.20%	Texas A&M (2023)	Jimmy Sexton
A+	Jim Harbaugh	1 (2023)	15	71.40%	Los Angeles Chargers (NFL)	Brad C. E. L.
A-	Pete Carroll	1 (2004)	19	70.80%	Las Vegas Raiders	Ken C. E. L.
B-	Gary Patterson	0	21	70.00%	TCU (2021)	N/A
C	Luke Fickell	0	10	69.50%	Wisconsin	Bob LaMonte
C	James Franklin	0	15	69.00%	Penn State	Trace Armstrong
C	Mike Norvell	0	10	68.90%	Florida State	Trace Armstrong
C	Jamey Chadwell	0	15	68.50%	Liberty	N/A
C	Kyle Whittingham	0	21	68.30%	Utah	Jimmy Sexton
C	Eli Drinkwitz	0	6	67.50%	Missouri	N/A
A-	Mack Brown	1 (2005)	36	67.10%	North Carolina (2024)	Bob LaMonte
A-	Les Miles	1 (2007)	16	66.50%	Kansas (2020)	Trace Armstrong
C+	Chip Kelly	0	14	66.40%	Ohio State	Bob LaMonte
C	Mike Gundy	0	21	66.30%	Oklahoma State	Jimmy Sexton
C	Billy Napier	0	8	65.20%	Florida	Jimmy Sexton
C	Mario Cristobal	0	13	65.00%	Miami (FL)	Jimmy Sexton
D	Sonny Dykes	0	15	64.60%	TCU	Jimmy Sexton
D	Pat Narduzzi	0	11	64.50%	Pittsburgh	Bob LaMonte
D	Lane Kiffin	0	16	64.00%	Ole Miss	Jimmy Sexton
D	Dan Mullen	0	14	63.50%	UNLV	Jimmy Sexton
D	Gus Malzahn	0	13	62.90%	UCF	Jimmy Sexton
D	Jeff Brohm	0	11	62.60%	Louisville	N/A
D	Chris Klieman	0	7	62.00%	Kansas State	N/A
D	Bret Bielema	0	17	61.40%	Illinois	Trace Armstrong
D	Steve Sarkisian	0	11	60.50%	Texas	Jimmy Sexton
D	Art Briles	0	13	60.40%	N/A	N/A
D	Clay Helton	0	12	59.50%	Georgia Southern	N/A
A-	Ed Orgeron	1 (2019)	10	58.80%	LSU (2021)	Jimmy Sexton
D	Alex Golesh	0	3	57.14%	USF	N/A
D	Kirk Ferentz	0	29	56.30%	Iowa	N/A
A*	Jon Gruden	0 (Super Bowl XXXVII)	15	51.10%	Las Vegas Raiders (2021)	Bob LaMonte
D	Dave Aranda	0	6	50.80%	Baylor	Jimmy Sexton
A-	Gene Chizik	1 (2010)	6	50.00%	North Carolina (Defensive Coordinator, 2023)	Jimmy Sexton

 

[Escambia94]

If Scott Stricklin is attempting to repeat his hire of Todd Golden from a lower tier of play and transform that coach into a national champion, here are the only two viable candidates:

Curt Cignetti​

Positive Aspects: Curt Cignetti has a long and successful track record, particularly in turning programs around. He has a career record of 130-37 and has consistently improved teams in his first or second year at every stop, including at Indiana (Pa.), James Madison, and most recently at Indiana. His coaching philosophy emphasizes "production over potential," and he has experience as a recruiting coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban, where he helped secure top-ranked recruiting classes.

Negative Aspect: His success has come primarily at the FCS level or in his initial seasons at a new FBS program. There are questions about his ability to sustain success over a long period at a Power Four program and if his "FCS Merchant" style will translate to the SEC, where he'll face top-tier opponents week in and week out. His on-field decisions in some high-stakes games have been criticized as overly conservative. He is also 64 years old, which is not quite in the "football version of Todd Golden" mode.

Mark Helfrich​

Positive Aspects: Mark Helfrich's primary strength is his offensive mind. As the offensive coordinator at Oregon under Chip Kelly, he was instrumental in developing one of the nation's fastest and most productive offenses. His teams consistently ranked high in scoring and total offense, and he has a strong understanding of offensive strategy. At age 51 he is young enough to be cool.

Negative Aspect: While his offensive mind is well-regarded, his time as a head coach at Oregon was marked by a decline in the program's overall culture and a lack of discipline. He was also considered a poor recruiter, which is a major red flag for a program like Florida that needs to consistently bring in top talent to compete in the SEC. His in-game management and decision-making were also criticized during his head coaching tenure.

 

[Escambia94]

If Scott Stricklin wants to think outside of the box, he should find an older coach with championships and is looking for redemption.

Jon Gruden​

Positive Aspects: Jon Gruden is a well-known name with a Super Bowl win. He's a highly respected offensive "guru" with a reputation for creating complex and effective offensive schemes. Gruden is also known for his intense, passionate, and energetic coaching style, which could ignite a fanbase and a program in need of a jolt. His experience in the NFL, where he successfully coached and developed quarterbacks, could be particularly appealing to a college program like Florida.

Negative Aspect: Gruden's reputation is significantly tarnished due to the public release of racist, misogynistic, and homophobic emails he sent during his time as an ESPN analyst. These highly controversial and offensive comments led to his resignation from the Las Vegas Raiders and would undoubtedly be a major public relations hurdle for any university, let alone a high-profile one like Florida, to overcome.

Les Miles​

Positive Aspects: Les Miles has extensive experience and a history of success in the SEC, which is a major advantage. He led LSU to a BCS National Championship in 2007 and won two SEC titles. His teams were known for their physical, tough-minded approach, and he consistently produced winning seasons. He also has a strong track record of recruiting and developing NFL-caliber talent.

Negative Aspect: Miles was fired from both LSU and Kansas amid allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with female students and staff members. An internal LSU investigation recommended he be fired for "inappropriate behavior" and for putting the university at "great risk." These serious off-the-field issues are a significant liability that would make him a controversial and difficult hire for a major university.

Ed Orgeron​

Positive Aspects: Ed Orgeron, like Les Miles, has a proven track record in the SEC. Most notably, he led LSU to a National Championship in 2019, achieving a perfect 15-0 season. He has a reputation as a masterful recruiter and has strong ties to the region, which is crucial for success at Florida. His championship-winning experience would bring immediate credibility and high expectations to the program.

Negative Aspect: Orgeron's success at LSU was short-lived and largely attributed to the perfect storm of elite talent on his 2019 roster, including Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and future NFL players. His other head coaching stints at Ole Miss and even the years following the 2019 championship at LSU were less successful. Questions have been raised about his ability to hire and retain top-tier assistant coaches and manage a program long-term, and his tenure at LSU was also marred by an off-the-field scandal related to the handling of sexual assault allegations.

 

[DRU2012]

It is too early to definitively state that William Hall Napier's days are numbered in Gainesville. Here is the updated list of top head coaching candidates. I have grouped the candidates into the following:
A = national championship coach (+ indicates more recent, - indicates older championships, * indicates Super Bowl)
B = winning percentage above 70% (+ indicates power conference champions)
C = winning percentage above 65%
D = winning percentage above 50%

Any coach in group C is just another Billy Napier. The coaches in group B are happily employed elsewhere, with the exception of Mark Helfrich. That brings us to group A, which is full of unrealistic candidates.

My ranking of viable candidates that Jimmy Sexton or Trace Armstrong or Bob Lamonte can bring to Florida:
Curt Cignetti
Mark Helfrich

My list of crazy candidates:
Les Miles
Ed Orgeron

My list of intriguing candidates:
Jon Gruden

Group	Name	National Championships	Head Coaching Years	Career Record	Current/ Last Team	Agent
A+	Ryan Day	1 (2024)	7	87.30%	Ohio State	Trace Armstrong
A	Urban Meyer	3 (2006, 2008, 2014)	17	85.40%	Jacksonville Jaguars (2021)	Trace Armstrong
A+	Kirby Smart	2 (2021, 2022)	10	84.70%	Georgia	Jimmy Sexton
B+	Lincoln Riley	0	9	82.60%	USC	Trace Armstrong
B+	Curt Cignetti	0	15	80.40%	Indiana	N/A
A	Dabo Swinney	2 (2016, 2018)	18	79.30%	Clemson	Jimmy Sexton
B+	Kalen DeBoer	0	6	77.00%	Alabama	Jimmy Sexton
B-	Mark Helfrich	0	4	74.40%	Chicago Bears (Offensive Coordinator, 2019)	Jimmy Sexton
B	Josh Heupel	0	7	74.40%	Tennessee	Jimmy Sexton
B	Brian Kelly	0	33	73.20%	LSU	Jimmy Sexton
A	Jimbo Fisher	1 (2013)	14	72.20%	Texas A&M (2023)	Jimmy Sexton
A+	Jim Harbaugh	1 (2023)	15	71.40%	Los Angeles Chargers (NFL)	Brad C. E. L.
A-	Pete Carroll	1 (2004)	19	70.80%	Las Vegas Raiders	Ken C. E. L.
B-	Gary Patterson	0	21	70.00%	TCU (2021)	N/A
C	Luke Fickell	0	10	69.50%	Wisconsin	Bob LaMonte
C	James Franklin	0	15	69.00%	Penn State	Trace Armstrong
C	Mike Norvell	0	10	68.90%	Florida State	Trace Armstrong
C	Jamey Chadwell	0	15	68.50%	Liberty	N/A
C	Kyle Whittingham	0	21	68.30%	Utah	Jimmy Sexton
C	Eli Drinkwitz	0	6	67.50%	Missouri	N/A
A-	Mack Brown	1 (2005)	36	67.10%	North Carolina (2024)	Bob LaMonte
A-	Les Miles	1 (2007)	16	66.50%	Kansas (2020)	Trace Armstrong
C+	Chip Kelly	0	14	66.40%	Ohio State	Bob LaMonte
C	Mike Gundy	0	21	66.30%	Oklahoma State	Jimmy Sexton
C	Billy Napier	0	8	65.20%	Florida	Jimmy Sexton
C	Mario Cristobal	0	13	65.00%	Miami (FL)	Jimmy Sexton
D	Sonny Dykes	0	15	64.60%	TCU	Jimmy Sexton
D	Pat Narduzzi	0	11	64.50%	Pittsburgh	Bob LaMonte
D	Lane Kiffin	0	16	64.00%	Ole Miss	Jimmy Sexton
D	Dan Mullen	0	14	63.50%	UNLV	Jimmy Sexton
D	Gus Malzahn	0	13	62.90%	UCF	Jimmy Sexton
D	Jeff Brohm	0	11	62.60%	Louisville	N/A
D	Chris Klieman	0	7	62.00%	Kansas State	N/A
D	Bret Bielema	0	17	61.40%	Illinois	Trace Armstrong
D	Steve Sarkisian	0	11	60.50%	Texas	Jimmy Sexton
D	Art Briles	0	13	60.40%	N/A	N/A
D	Clay Helton	0	12	59.50%	Georgia Southern	N/A
A-	Ed Orgeron	1 (2019)	10	58.80%	LSU (2021)	Jimmy Sexton
D	Alex Golesh	0	3	57.14%	USF	N/A
D	Kirk Ferentz	0	29	56.30%	Iowa	N/A
A*	Jon Gruden	0 (Super Bowl XXXVII)	15	51.10%	Las Vegas Raiders (2021)	Bob LaMonte
D	Dave Aranda	0	6	50.80%	Baylor	Jimmy Sexton
A-	Gene Chizik	1 (2010)	6	50.00%	North Carolina (Defensive Coordinator, 2023)	Jimmy Sexton

Thoroughly exhaustive list, as always, E--.
But given your own intent in posting this thread, let us (necessarily) include ALL THREE OF THE ABOVE, original "list" plus "qualified additions", in considering what may be the true eventual "total sea" in which we will be pursuing our "White Whale"...
I reply then to ALL THREE of the above here (no need then to repeat the rest still directly above).
I cannot think of anyone to add.
And yes, I TOO agree it remains "TOO EARLY" to launch fully INTO this discussion--and "fully", "No escape" and/or "No holds barred" are the only situation and/or way, respectively, to pursue an answer.
Because, of course, no matter how long the odds so far we are drawing conclusions and projecting our anger and disappointment BASED ON THE RESULT OF ONE GAME--and THAT in Week 2.
Moreover, we are all "ousiders": WE have little knowledge of all the forces, large or small, that are being considered and/or brought to bear, financial, social, political or otherwise...AND (technically at LEAST) this staff and TEAM might turn things around.
Unlikely as it may appear NOW (and I won't deny my own pessimism), the future is not yet written:
They win tonight, things at minimum cool a bit for a "let's wait'n'see few days"...pull off a couple more directly after and the whole tone and outlook for the time being begins to shift.
I'm not predicting (nor myself even EXPECTING) this last, but until it in FACT has or hasn't HAPPENED, none of the rest is applicable as anything but PREPARATION
--for a dark reality we all hope-against-HOPE somehow WILL NOT come to pass!
I'm glad it is out there now; I damn well hope that our "INSIDERS" were and ARE already ARMED with all of this and more, are discussing, investigating, weighing and contacting--are WAY OUT IN FRONT in preparing for whatever may next be coming at us.
But when all is said and done, I guess I choose to postpone the necessity to surrender to that reality until we have no choice. That may well be coming soon, WAY sooner than we envisioned entering this "turning point/season-of-hope" just weeks ago, after months of "counting positive SIGNS".
That's why it hurts. That's why we're angry.
But I still say we wait until it REALLY GETS here.

(We won't have to wait long, of course:
Either we win tonight and proceed to win at least 3 of the next 4 "Big Ones" in that "Gauntlet", or things (to varying degrees) "go south" pretty quickly...The latest "prophesy" is from USA Today's Toppmeyer who looks at these next 4 games (LSU, MIAMI, TEXAS, TAMU) and sees 4 losses, and "Napier GONE BY OCTOBER 13".
Of course, MORE than just "tough opponents" are implied parts of his "informed reasoning".
Our OWN "eye-test" plus a common sense application of "what we've SEEN" to "what seems LIKELY" gets most to a similar place.
Hence, all of THIS.
BUT:
It still hasn't HAPPENED yet.

 

[DRU2012]

(Monday morning: POST LSU)

Alright.
I did NOT overreact in any "knee jerk" fashion.
I didn't fire from the hip in the immediate aftermath , based on the gut level anger I shared with most of y'all.
I have waited, allowed the first wave of extreme emotion to break over us.
And I for one am ready to say THIS much with a fair amount of certainty:
Our HEAD COACH must go, sooner rather than later, yes--but our AD, Scott Stickland needs to be FIRED FIRST. IMMEDIATELY.
I no longer CARE about most of the attending fears and drawbacks many of us were concerned about, like keeping DJ or how it might affect recruiting (present and future), or even current team cohesion or morale. Those things are now under threat (perhaps already crumbling) in any event.
And, in more ways than one, have replaced as "priorities" by the simple, inescapeable FACT:
Our program is a moribund MESS. No longer even a "rebuilding powerhouse" but more a "ONCE-great program" well on its way to returning to its status of "Sleeping Giant"--and if we don't do something, several DRASTIC things SOON, that is all we will be once more, and for a long time to come.
That's where I came IN, 50 years ago, when I first entered UF. Doug Dicky was our Coach, and except for a few years led by Heismann QB Steve Spurrier ten years earlier (when, as a little kid in a Florida household, I was a big fan of the school AND the vaunted "SS". By the time I fulfilled my dream of ATTENDING UF (already a lifelong fan, it had everything I was looking for scholastically and socially) our beloved Football Gators were mired in mediocrity. By late in my sophomore year, however, the powers-that-be fired Dicky and brought in Charlie Pell.
I'm not going to recount (let alone analyze) in detail the long process, but this IS where the long road from apathy to what came to be the accepted "Gator Standard of Excellence" began.
There've been setbacks: lessons to be learned, rough roads to be navigated, peaks and valleys, but by the 90s and the arrival/return of "The Head Ball Coach" we had fully transformed ourselves from Bear Bryant's "Sleeping Giant" into the dynamic, exciting, always at-or-NEAR-the-TOP annual SEC power Florida Football Gators.
Y'all don't wanna'have to wait ANOTHER fifty years, TRUST ME. For myself, I at least hope to see us back on-track, challenging for annual playoff participation, among the Elite in whatever strange system these greedy fools eventually settle on.
NOW IS THE TIME.
PAST time--but that can't be helped now...
We are counting on theoretical "wiser heads" prevailing now, frightening a thought as that may be. Somehow though our future now depends on a vital change at the helm of the athletic program: We are STILL "a FOOTBALL SCHOOL"; we will continue to be, more than most (perhaps more than anyone else) "an "EVERYTHING school" too'' but ALWAYS "A Football School FIRST".
So to that mainly-faceless cabale that will be making these decisions, "pulling the strings", I can say only THIS:
"GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME, GUYS!!!"

 

[Escambia94]

Look for my old posts on looking back at the 2018 and 2022 hiring process. I will summarize here:
- In November 2017, the hiring of Dan Mullen made sense. He was in the top 25 for winning percentage, was offense-minded, and was connected to Florida's glory days.

• Chip Kelly - 86.8% (46-7 at Oregon 2013-2017, but with NCAA concerns)
• Urban Meyer - 85.4% (187-32, Ohio State/Florida/Bowling Green/Utah)
• Nick Saban - 82.7% (183-59-1, Alabama/LSU/Michigan State/Toledo)
• Chris Petersen - 80.7% (129-31, Washington/Boise State)
• Dabo Swinney - 78.9% (101-27, Clemson)
• Jimbo Fisher - 78.3% (83-23, Florida State)
• Gary Patterson - 77.2% (160-47, TCU)
• Bob Stoops - 76.9% (190-57, Oklahoma, retired post-2016 but active in 2017)
• Bobby Petrino - 76.2% (119-37, Louisville/Arkansas/Western Kentucky)
• Brian Kelly - 74.8% (171-57-2, Notre Dame/Cincinnati/Central Michigan)
• Mark Dantonio - 73.5% (100-36, Michigan State/Cincinnati)
• Scott Frost - 73.1% (19-7, UCF)
• David Shaw - 73.0% (73-27, Stanford)
• Gus Malzahn - 72.6% (45-17, Auburn/Arkansas State)
• Kyle Whittingham - 72.2% (111-43, Utah)
• Jim Harbaugh - 71.9% (78-30-1, Michigan/Stanford)
• Kirk Ferentz - 70.6% (143-59-1, Iowa)
• Les Miles - 70.4% (141-59, LSU/Oklahoma State)
• Mike Gundy - 70.2% (114-49, Oklahoma State)
• Bill Snyder - 69.8% (215-93-1, Kansas State)
• Bronco Mendenhall - 69.6% (99-43, BYU/Virginia)
• Ken Niumatalolo - 69.4% (84-37, Navy)
• Pat Fitzgerald - 68.8% (85-39, Northwestern)
• Paul Chryst - 68.4% (50-23, Wisconsin/Pittsburgh)
• Frank Solich - 67.8% (115-54, Ohio/Nebraska)
• Mike Leach - 67.4% (113-55, Washington State/Texas Tech)
• Mark Richt - 67.1% (171-84, Georgia/Miami)
• Butch Jones - 66.7% (84-42, Tennessee/Cincinnati/Central Michigan)
• Troy Calhoun - 66.5% (67-34, Air Force)
• Kevin Sumlin - 66.3% (86-44, Texas A&M/Houston)
• Larry Fedora - 65.8% (59-31, North Carolina/Southern Miss)
• Hugh Freeze - 65.7% (39-21, Ole Miss/Arkansas State)
• Dan Mullen - 60.0% (69-46, Mississippi State) + Experience at Florida.

Looking back at November/ December 2017, Dan Mullen really was the best choice. Scott Frost was not coming here, and Chip Kelly still had some NCAA probation baggage. That leaves David Shaw, Gus Malzahn, Kyle Whittingham, Kirk Ferentz, Mike Gundy, Bill Snyder, Bronco Mendenhall, Ken Niumatalolo, Pat Fitzgerald, Paul Chryst, Frank Solich, Mike Leach, Troy Calhoun, Kevin Sumlin, Larry Fedora (former Florida OC), and Hugh Freeze. By the end of Mullen's term at Florida he would be in the top 10 of this list, removing the unreasonable candidates.

Summary: Dan Mullen was not a bad choice in 2018. The problem is not the hiring process, but the motivation of these coaches.

 

[Escambia94]

Billy Napier would be the number 1 or 2 reasonable candidate if we had to do the coaching search again. Napier made sense due to his connections to Nick Saban and the SEC. He was not a bad choice at the time.

• Ryan Day - .892
• Dabo Swinney - .814
• Kirby Smart - .806
• Lincoln Riley - .804
• Nick Saban - .803
• Billy Napier - 0.769
• Brian Kelly - .739
• Jimbo Fisher - .737
• James Franklin - .711
• Dan Mullen - .698
• Luke Fickell - .696
• Kyle Whittingham - .695
• Mike Gundy - .694
• David Shaw - .693
• Chris Petersen - .692
• Gary Patterson - .688
• Pat Fitzgerald - .686
• Tom Herman - .683
• Matt Campbell - .681
• Gus Malzahn - .679
• Bryan Harsin - .676
• Mark Stoops - .674
• Kirk Ferentz - .672
• Paul Chryst - .670
• Dave Clawson - .668
• Lane Kiffin - .667

 

[DRU2012]

The most striking thing I take from ALL OF THE ABOVE is the apparent fundamental FUTILITY of this whole process: It begins to look as if one would have similar chances of success with a blindfold and a dart!
@Escambia94,
So I turn to you now, E--, and pose the stark question:
Is there ANYONE out there whom YOU estimate
(1) a potential SLAM DUNK candidate,
AND
(2) that we'd have SOME (even if vanishingly small) prospect of landing?
I am frankly, personally and HONESTLY STUMPED.

 

[DRU2012]

I'm not even gonna cloud the issue here at the start:
There is by now clearly a pretty strong "Consensus First Choice":
A whole LOT of Gators are by now "on the LANE-TRAIN"!!!
Myself now included, I'll admit it.
I've come around over the months,
Lane's grown up somewhat, it would seem--and more than ever I've personally come around to appreciating him somewhat as perhaps the "ANTI-NAPIER" that we NEED here, now more than ever.
So--there it is...
For the moment here I will leave things right there, with plenty of open space for YOUR thoughts, rants, and general points-of-VIEW.
HAVE AT IT, GATORS.
Now's the tine for your strong TAKES on this matter.

 

[Leakfan12]

Lane is a good consideration but the last time the Gators consider a guy from a Mississippi school, it didn't workout.

 

[Leakfan12]

I admit I'm 50-50 with Lane, Ole Miss does have some good offenses but hasn't led Ole Miss a conference championship. Granted yes, it's too soon to say for this season but I don't think Ole Miss could win out. I could be wrong.

 

[DRU2012]

Lane is a good consideration but the last time the Gators consider a guy from a Mississippi school, it didn't workout.

I admit I'm 50-50 with Lane, Ole Miss does have some good offenses but hasn't led Ole Miss a conference championship. Granted yes, it's too soon to say for this season but I don't think Ole Miss could win out. I could be wrong.

I hear you--and in the past I had all KINDS of reservations with "early-to-mid-stage", "wandering wiseguy Lane", PRE-Ol' Miss. But he and WE have I think had to find a certain "wiser perspective" the last few years through a plethora of "humbling experiences" in both camps.
More than ever, aspects of a "mutual fit" appears to have evolved.
Of course, there are no guarantees: But I am not alone in the unique gut-level, reflexive EXCITEMENT that stirs in so many Gator hearts now just at his name being at the top of our search list--the thought that Lane MIGHT be coming not just stirs HOPE that has been otherwise steadily fading, it has in fact LIT A FIRE across Gator Nation...To the point where the consensus at THIS point is that it is LANE'S JOB TO ACCEPT OR TURN DOWN.

 

[DRU2012]

(...However, after all my still heartfelt disenchantment with Stricklin and all of HIS near-endless missteps, regardless of how it came about, what pressure has been and continues to BE brought to bear from behind and above, his email and subsequent similar statements at this morning's presser were spot on--thoroughly encouraging:
He said all the right thjngs--and if his own job depends upon him following THROUGH on it all, as the "backroom buzz" suggests, then perhaps everyone really IS "on the same page" now--giving us, despite the crazy chaos of this "coaching carousel" that is developing, a real chance to make the huge change for the best that we all are counting on and know is what is required.)

 

[DRU2012]

Note regarding Lane:
Tim Brando has made this loudly trumpeted statement about how Lane isn't going ANYWHERE, and whether there is ANY coincidental truth to that it has NOTHING to do with Brando's special insight OR journalistic connections.
Tim Brando is a once-passably competent sports-network "talking head" who, as he sank into terminal self-importance has also become more and more the fatuous JERK he is today.
In fact, in the published statement he is so decidedly certain of his personal knowledge of the workings of Lane's mind and soul that I personally would find it endlessly satisfying to see him unmasked as the lying Gator Hater WE know him to be.
I already had the feeling, by things the man HIMSELF said in recent MONTHS, that Lane Kiffen no longer HAD the hankering to move-on to "the REAL Elite"--in effect to follow his role model, one Steve Spurrier, to HIS alma mater--one of those few "Special Places" where you CAN get the players and the opportunities to be "THERE" on an annual basis.
But nothing is written in stone--and Lane is still a relatively young man. Brando's certainty regarding what he's thinking and what is likely to motivate him is just a self-centered effort to manipulate the ongoing narrative--HE thinks that he himself is so important a public figure that in just making such a statement he will somehow affect actual decisions and events.
Kiffen may NOT take the UF job--but it has little or nothing to do with Tim Brando OR anything HE thinks, writes or says.
Tim Brando is a dickhead who ALSO happens to be a charter member of the AntiGator Brigade.

 

[DRU2012]

Oh--One more point pertaining to Stricklin and his growing list of accumulated incompetences:
Turns out he failed to include the normally de rigeur "mitigation clause" in the buyout portion of Napier's contract--You know: the ones that for example "MITIGATES" how much Penn State remains on the hook for if/when he takes another job (and presumably signs another contract)...
In other words, UF will NOT save those potential multimillions usually built into such contracts when these "Type A", "Hard Charging", "I'll Prove Then ALL Wrong NEXT Time" Guys they go after and often GET when the big annual check (plus whatever bonus money is included to sweeten the deal) from the next Job's deal is deducted from what the firer still owes (as per the parting buyout terms).
Though the details are sketchy and still unclear, it would seem that the careless Stricklin, operating without the support of a firm like Turnkey (whom he and the University HAVE engaged in a strong "advise and consent role" at every TURN THIS TIME AROUND), inadvertently left UF "holding the bag", "twisting in the wind", (insert whatever cliche you like HERE) as far as the extra MILLIONS they will unnecessarily remain on the hook for in coming years as they pay Napier absurd extra millions ON TOP OF whatever money his agent can pry out of the NEXT hirer/firer--OR, ANOTHER way of looking at it: Thd NEXT gets a DEAL, Billy in a sense INSURED that "next job" BY that financial oversight on Stricklin's part in a sense SUBSIDIZING whatever they choose to pony up--Billy gets another fat annual paycheck while relatively quickly getting the opportunity to DO so even as he gets that: The chance to quickly GET that "next chance"--one that may well have not been so easily found had that "extra cash" not been there, contractually speaking.
Again , I'm not clear on the details, but it sure LOOKS as if "that OTHER SS" found ANOTHER way to continue hurting the Program for YEARS TO COME, no matter WHAT happens next.

 

[DRU2012]

Meanwhile, Tim Brando continues to spew accumulating arguments that support Rebel self-delusional certainties--for example the latest main ongoing one being that Lane's choosing to take the Gator job would be ("...AT BEST...") a "LATERAL MOVE".
Look, there ARE some possibly real reasons he might turn us down now--but THAT isn't one of them. If anything, the truth that it ISN'T, THAT the lower pressure, "You're doing just FINE, far as WE'RE concerned, Lane" attitude, the lower stress, lower key southern charm of a town where he basically now RULES WITH "ALMOST", and that THAT might well go on for YEARS--the rest of a CAREER--may turn out to be " The Clincher"!
But Kiffen (at least until pretty recently) has been one of those "crazed ALPHA Coaches" who craves the spotlight and if anything would choose the greater resources and the spotlighted high expectations of Gator Nation...
On top of which, he has In the past fancied himself Spurrier's modern natural inheritor..
Now, it possible he has settled into a certain "maturity"...There are signs that he has come to appreciate the more relaxed, lower stress contentment with the current moderate success he has achieved at Ol' Miss and the general satisfaction their fans already feel at the currentlevel of success.
But if that is the case, Lane Kiffen is probably no longer the Coach we need or want at this point in our envisioned "much needed resurgence" ANYWAY--and it would probably be best if he were to stay where he is and WE were to move on in our search.

 

[DRU2012]

NOW Urban's name is being seriously bandied about once more.
In a word:
NO!
Even if he were settled on by the moneymen (which will NOT be the case), EVEN were HE to consider it (which is likely the furthest thing from his MIND)...It just ain't gonna HAPPEN.
Where Urban is the past; Lane would be The Future.
But ONLY if he really is still that indefatigable, SS-influenced smart-ass with the same burning desire to take center stage doing things his own WAY!
IF he is now truly content to be "comfortably above average", ensconced and beloved at Ol' Miss to end his career, then by all means LEAVE HIM THERE! That only gets US back to something along the lines of "Mullen Volume II".
I have little clear idea of WHERE we go, WHO we turn to WHATEVER the reasons are if Lane declines, but I assume there is a plan in place--that it was somewhat in place for some TIME before things finally came inescapeably down to the past weekend and all we are going through NOW.
And it better be realistically well-considered, too--a whole lot more than simply relying on Stricklin's vision, taste and judgement again!

 

[Escambia94]

We have gone through this about every four years. Do not believe the rumors. Look at the list above. The next coach is on that list because Jimmy Sexton represents just about all of them. Just because a name is trending on social media, it does not mean it is a realistic prediction. Case in point: I asked Grok to rank the most popular predictions on X:

Rank​	Post Author​	Key Prediction(s)​	Date​
1​	@1010XL​	Jon Gruden will be in play and could have a conversation for the job.​	Sep 9, 2025 @1010XL​
2​	@ClayTravis​	Lane Kiffin, Alex Golesh, James Franklin, Clark Lea; wild card Jon Gruden.​	Oct 19, 2025 @ClayTravis​
3​	@AllKindsWeather​	Alex Golesh as a solid, intelligent option (backup to top targets like Kirby Smart or Dabo Swinney).​	Sep 7, 2025 @AllKindsWeather​
4​	@polk_way​	Alex Golesh as the safest, most realistic hire given his Florida ties and SEC experience.​	Oct 20, 2025 @polk_way​
5​	@CFBPropOdds​	Betting odds favor Lane Kiffin; others include Jeff Brohm, Urban Meyer, and Jon Gruden.​	Oct 20, 2025 @CFBPropOdds​
6​	@HamiltonsHouse​	Eli Drinkwitz as the answer, especially if he brings his staff and recruits like at Missouri.​	Oct 21, 2025 @HamiltonsHouse​
7​	@gatorquez80​	Jeff Brohm as second choice (after Lane Kiffin), praising his record vs. top teams and offensive mind.​	Oct 22, 2025 @gatorquez80​
8​	@BarryHoover​	Alex Golesh to elevate the QB/offense like Sarkisian or Kiffin, while retaining DC Ron Roberts.​	Oct 21, 2025 @BarryHoover​
9​	@DirtyBird37Live​	Eli Drinkwitz as the likely hire (after failed pursuits of Kiffin and others).​	Oct 20, 2025 @DirtyBird37Live​
10​	@GatorCritic​	Scott Stricklin (satirical take on a worst-case internal promotion).​	Oct 19, 2025​

 

[DRU2012]

Setting the whole "Lane-thing" aside for now, I would really like to hear YOUR preferences BEYOND this endless "will he/won't he" blather, E-.
Myself, personally, I find myself grudgingly gravitating towards Brohm, Eli, then as an out-of-leftfield longshot (which we DON'T want or NEED again--but it's what Stricklin has GIVEN us two out of the last three times), maybe Summerall?
Those are my current "if it's NOT Lane" candidates: For the moment, and in that order.
But this has evolved--which is to say, CHANGED--practically on a daily basis lately.
However, the longer Kiffen goes WITHOUT simply shutting the talk down, telling the WORLD "Hey--I got a team and program on our latest run to the Playoffs and hopefully BEYOND: I am here and IN IT for the duration!", the more it seems he is at least LEANING towards "that coveted step-UP":
US.
I mean, he could just do that at any time--OUGHT to do it, if that's who he is now.
But until he DOES or DOESN'T, we set all that aside and turn to "THE BIG 'WHAT IF?' "...
So I ask again:
What are YOUR thoughts, preferences here?
I realize that at the moment I am still throwing in some "move-up/prove it at the next level" candidates, but the more I think about it, the more some these "ALREADY PROVED IT"-guys just do not hold up to closer scrutiny...even if it's just a gut-level rejection.
For me, that's how it feels with regard for example with someone like James Franklin. I just can'g see him as a good FIT with us--but he is kind of emblematic of the way I feel about SEVERAL high profile, supposedly "proven/can't miss" guys that are being thrown out there:
There've been at least a couple MORE that have been widely discussed but we're NEVER high on MY list. The more I consider them and this whole "brave new world" we have moved into (seemingly so quickly and suddenly), the LESS I really want them leading US. They MIGHT well win games, a LOT MORE games here than Billy (wouldn't be that hard, right?)--but THAT isn't the standard we are trying to reestablish. Even Scot Stricklin finally seems to have grasped that (or at least the sense to CLAIM it!).
"Gut Level" becomes all the more important, in my view HAS to be considered in this "new world, so fast changing and littered with "moving parts" as it now is.
So I ask again (and this goes out not just to
@Escambia94, but to @Leakfan12, and of our many "guests" out there to themselves join in--now of ALL IMPORTANT POINTS in Gator history):
We GOT "Consensus" as to fans' first choice...
But I wanna hear the various "OK--what IF?" range of alternate options.

 

[DRU2012]

It's just hours later, and I've been further investigating my "alt-candidates" (ie. "other-than-Kiffen"), and I have already backed away from my "outta-the-blue" potential choice of Summerall.
And the reason is that the more I look, the more I see that his enormous (Round 80%!) win percentage rests directly on his proficiency as a DEfensive-minded Coach. He WILL do just FINE somewhere ELSE, and definitely deserves a big step UP--But NOT at Florida.
We GOTTA go out and get a bigtime aggressive OFFENSE-MINDED Head Coach.
Period.
Now, clearly this ISN'T Lane's SOLE "plus" recommending him as OUR next Coach.
He has a BUNCH of attendant "required boxes checked"--but at UF THIS time NOT having THAT one is an immediate "NEGATORY".
I jump back in here so quickly to note all this BECAUSE it is so huge a point--and indicative of what a slippery slope this whole process IS, how quickly attitudes and opinions can ebb and flow (...and THAT'S just in one person's HEAD--LOL!).