LSU coach Lane Kiffin dominated college football headlines in the lead-up to his decision to leave Ole Miss. Kiffin was heavily linked to both the marquee jobs at the University of Alabama and the University of Florida. Until the last few days, both fans and analysts waited for his choice with bated breath.
Ultimately, the Tigers won the race for his signature, while the Gators hired former Tulane Green Wave coach Jon Sumrall.
What Did Steve Spurrier Say About Florida Fans’ Fixation With Lane Kiffin?
During an interview with Sean Kelley on Friday, Florida legend Steve Spurrier sent a stark message to Gators fans who were still upset about the team not hiring Kiffin and instead hiring Sumrall.
“Just being positive,” Spurrier said. “Our fanbase is feeling negative right now and they’re hung up on, ‘We didn’t hire the Lane train.’ But he’s gone to LSU, no need to worry about him now. I think we got the best guy right here. That’s my message to the Gators.”
Spurrier coached Florida between 1990 and 2001, winning six SEC titles and one national championship (1996). During his introductory news conference, Sumrall thanked Spurrier for his advice during the hiring process that led to Sumrall becoming Florida’s new coach.
During an interview with On3’s Andy Staples this week, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin detailed the frustrating chase for Kiffin, which ended when the LSU coach disengaged from the process.
“It wasn’t just that we were being pushed at him, we were interested in him as a possibility, and I’d say strongly interested,” Stricklin said. “But at the same time, we knew we couldn’t just count on that. We were doing our due diligence on a number of candidates, ended up talking to nearly a dozen when it was all said and done.”
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Stricklin noted the shift in tone as the talks progressed.
“There was a flurry of initial engagement, I would say. Really positive conversations. And then the communication became a little more erratic. And the timing of when that began to occur, kind of just reading the tea leaves, gave me the impression that it’s a good thing we talked to other people.”
Sumrall’s No. 11 Green Wave clinched a berth in the College Football Playoff and will travel to Oxford to face Kiffin’s former team in the first round. The new Gators coach is currently juggling two jobs and according to PFSN’s College Football Playoff Meter, has a 0.15% chance of reaching the national championship game with Tulane.
