Florida finds itself back in the coaching market, and unlike many major vacancies, the top target has barely changed since the carousel began spinning. Several names are in play, but one remains firmly at the forefront as the Gators prepare for a program-defining decision.
After another turbulent season in Gainesville and mounting pressure from a restless fan base, Florida is once again staring down a critical moment in its football future. The Gators remain a blue-blood brand with elite resources, a fertile recruiting territory, and one of the nation’s highest ceilings, but recent years have made it clear that leadership at the top needs to be reset. With talent on the roster and urgency at an all-time high, this coaching search carries massive implications for one of college football’s storied programs’ trajectory.
Lane Kiffin: The Favorite From the Start
Among all college football openings, Florida’s has been one of the few where the favorite has remained constant: Lane Kiffin.
With the chaos unfolding at LSU, Florida’s odds may actually be improving, but nothing is guaranteed. Kiffin still has Ole Miss surging toward a College Football Playoff berth, and if the Rebels get in, Florida may be forced to wait into January to finalize its hire.
That creates a tricky timeline. The Gators want their next coach installed quickly to stabilize the roster, organize his personnel, and hit the ground running in the portal. Waiting for Kiffin could delay everything.
But the upside for Florida is enormous, especially regarding star quarterback DJ Lagway. Kiffin’s track record with QBs has been outstanding, and many believe Lagway is more naturally gifted than any signal-caller Kiffin has coached. The chance to pair Lagway with Kiffin for possibly two seasons is the kind of fit that could entice the Ole Miss coach and completely transform Florida’s offense overnight.
Eli Drinkwitz: An SEC Proven Rebuilder and Reload Specialist
If Florida can’t land Kiffin, Eli Drinkwitz is one of the most logical alternatives.
Much like Kiffin, Drinkwitz is an offensive-minded coach who isn’t afraid to challenge the SEC establishment. But unlike Billy Napier when Florida hired him from Louisiana, Drinkwitz has built his résumé against top-level SEC competition, elevating Missouri into one of the league’s most consistent, disciplined, and explosive programs. If Drinkwitz is the hire, this wouldn’t be a plan B option. He is very respected in coaching circles. He has led Missouri to a 45-27 record over his six seasons, making four bowl games and winning two of them.
In the modern game, elite programs don’t rebuild, they reload. Few coaches have displayed that adaptability and roster management mastery better than Drinkwitz in the current transfer, portal, and NIL era. Florida views him as someone who can stabilize the program while still competing toe-to-toe with the conference giants.
Kenny Dillingham: The Young Star Everyone Is Watching
Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham is quickly becoming one of the hottest young coaches in America. While he sits at 21–15 overall, it is his 18–6 run over the last season and a half that has his name buzzing nationwide.
Dillingham is coaching his alma mater, which makes it difficult to pry him away. But Florida is a job that can force even the most loyal coaches to pause, especially if the Gators decide to make a massive financial push.
Complicating matters is the recent development that quarterback Sam Leavitt may transfer from ASU. Would Dillingham view this as the right moment to exit and start fresh in Gainesville? It’s a real possibility, and one that makes him one of the most intriguing candidates on the board.
Jedd Fisch: An Underrated Fit With Massive Offensive Upside
Washington’s Jedd Fisch is one of the most underrated names in the Florida search, but he checks every box the program desires.
Fisch proved his eye for talent at Arizona, where his 2022 recruiting class unearthed stars like Tetairoa McMillan (four-star WR) and Noah Fifita (three-star QB). His ability to evaluate, develop, and modernize an offense led to a breakout 10–3 season in 2023 and ultimately earned him the Washington job after Kalen DeBoer’s departure.
Pairing Fisch with DJ Lagway could create one of the most explosive offenses in the SEC in 2025. Florida wants innovation, and Fisch brings it in abundance.
Alex Golesh: The In-State Sleeper Rising Fast
USF’s Alex Golesh is one of the fastest-rising young coaches in the sport, and Florida has already witnessed his skill firsthand. Earlier this season, he led the Bulls to an 18–16 upset of the Gators in Gainesville, a game that immediately put him on the national radar.
Golesh has USF sitting at 21–15 in his tenure, with major upsets over Boise State and Florida propelling the Bulls into the Group of 5 playoff conversation earlier this season. However, after a recent loss to Navy, their CFP chances have plummeted to 0.06%, with conference title odds down to 0.18%, per the PFSN Playoff Meter. For programs hoping to lure Golesh away, this may actually work in their favor; his season will conclude in early December, allowing him to leave before USF’s bowl game if he chooses. He also brings crucial in-state recruiting ties, something Florida desperately needs to re-establish.
Additionally, Golesh owns SEC experience from his years at Tennessee, where he helped architect one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.
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For Florida, he represents both upside and familiarity, a combination that could make him a serious player if bigger targets fall through.
Bottom Line: Florida Needs a Home-Run Hire
With the SEC only growing stronger and rivals surging ahead, Florida cannot afford another misstep. Lane Kiffin remains the dream scenario, but the Gators have several viable options behind him, including proven SEC builders like Drinkwitz and young offensive innovators like Dillingham, Fisch, and Golesh.
One thing is clear: Florida must get this hire right, and they’re preparing to swing big.
