Florida Gators crazy head coaching search continues, and Lane Kiffin’s odds rise significantly after latest news

Things are getting more interesting as we get closer to the end of the season.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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University of Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin addresses the media in a press conference on Oct. 20, 2025.
Alan Youngblood / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Florida Gators’ head coaching search has been a fascinating one to follow.

Ever since Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin decided to fire head coach Billy Napier after the homecoming game in October, there has been a lot of news dropping about who could be the next head coach. All reports were that Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin was the top target, but they haven’t been stopping there.

Wednesday brought news that the Gators would interview Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall for the job. Shortly after, those reports were refuted by the same people who reported them, as he is no longer a candidate for the job.

Jon Sumrall removing name from Gators’ HC search makes Lane Kiffin more likely

It was quite the turn of events in the coaching search, as Gators Online’s Zach Abolverdi retracted his report just 93 minutes later. The development is a fascinating one, and it likely signals one of a couple of things:

  • Sumrall removed himself from the coaching search
  • Gators secured their head coach in that time frame

Sumrall removing himself from the search could be because he didn’t want it to be leaked that he was interviewing, or it could be that it gave him the leverage he needed to get more money from either Tulane or one of the other open jobs that are interested in him.

The other avenue feels more likely. Kiffin has been dodging every single question about his future, and his lack of commitment to anything has been a huge negative in this entire situation.

“I love what we’re doing here. Today was awesome. To even talk about it right now would be so disrespectful to our players and what they did today,” said Kiffin after Saturday’s win vs. Florida. “I love it here at Ole Miss.”

We also got word from CBS analyst Aaron Taylor, who was the first one nationally to say that Koffin had already agreed to become the next head coach.

“I think it’s going to be Gainesville,” said Taylor. “I’ve heard some things that he’s already talked to the team, and that’s why everybody’s so frustrated because it’s a done deal, and it just hasn’t been announced.”

This entire search has been fascinating to watch play out in real time, and it will keep going until a coach is named at Florida. Strap in, because the ride is about to get bumpier.

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