Breaking Departure done now: Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin confirm Walk To Florida new offer, deal done just now
Florida’s football season didn’t begin as hoped two weeks ago, with Miami dominating them on both sides of the ball. The Gators seemed outmatched against the Hurricanes, and to add to their woes, starting quarterback Graham Mertz suffered a concussion, sidelining him for last week’s game against Samford.
Freshman QB DJ Lagway impressed in his debut against Samford, providing a potential bright spot for the team. However, Florida faces one of the toughest schedules in college football, and head coach Billy Napier is already under pressure.
Since the loss to Miami, Gator fans have been calling for Napier’s dismissal, and there’s a strong possibility they may get their wish. If Florida decides to part ways with Napier this offseason, they might look at an SEC coach who has successfully built his program over the past five years.
Florida Could Target Lane Kiffin
Lane Kiffin has done an excellent job transforming Ole Miss into a competitive program in recent years, turning them into title contenders. If Florida decides to part ways with Billy Napier, they should make a strong push for Kiffin.
Renowned college football analyst Josh Pate appeared on *Crain & Company* and was asked whether Kiffin would consider taking the Florida job. Pate’s response was clear: “In a heartbeat, Kiffin would walk to Florida if they offered him the job.”
It’s fascinating to hear Pate say that Kiffin would jump at the chance to coach the Gators. Kiffin could be the coach to restore Florida’s dominance, much like Urban Meyer did in the mid-2000s. Since Meyer’s departure in 2010, the Gators have been a decent team but haven’t consistently competed for titles. However, the program has proven that with the right leadership, it can win championships, and Kiffin might just be the right fit.
Kiffin has thrived in the new landscape of college football, excelling at pulling top talent from the transfer portal and navigating the NIL era. Florida needs someone with his recruiting and strategic skills to rebuild the program. Hiring Kiffin would be a huge win for the Gators—now, the question is whether they’ll reach out to him at season’s end if they move on from Napier.