Florida's rep takes another hit after reportedly striking out on Kiffin

Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Florida's reputation takes another hit after reportedly striking out on Lane Kiffin

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Nov 28, 2025 1:51 PM ET

The Florida Gators aren't what they once were.

On Friday, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel shared that Florida has pivoted in its coaching search from Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin to other candidates, a sign it no longer believes it's a candidate.

That's despite, as Thamel noted, the Gators having previously "offered [Kiffin] a deal to put him among the highest paid coaches in college football, which included significant incentives."

Florida Gators whiff on Lane Kiffin after aggressive pursuit

Florida's failed pursuit of the former Alabama assistant highlights just how far the program has fallen in the decade-plus since its last national championship in 2008. The Gators have more losing seasons (six) than 10-win seasons (five) in the 17 years since.

Thamel's report suggests Kiffin whittled his decision on where to coach in 2026 down to Ole Miss and LSU, which have aggressively pursued him in the weeks since the firing of Brian Kelly.

It also forces Florida to settle on Plan B. Thamel described the Gators as "optimistic" about the search after interviewing "roughly a dozen" candidates, though from the outside it's hard to view the process as a success after whiffing on their top candidate.

Sources: Florida has shifted focus from Lane Kiffin in the school’s coaching search, as the school has sensed through irregular communication that he’s interested in other options. Florida has interviewed roughly a dozen candidates and is optimistic about the process. pic.twitter.com/cClSqhPDTc
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 28, 2025

Florida must once again recalibrate its expectations for the program. It isn't the clear promotion it may once have been viewed as; instead, it is seen as a lateral move (if that) from a place like Ole Miss. The search could get even worse if Tulane coach Jon Sumrall withdraws from consideration or accepts Auburn's opening, a decision expected to come Sunday.

Sources: Tulane coach Jon Sumrall is expected to make a decision on his coaching future on Sunday morning. He's expected to choose between staying at Tulane, and his outside opportunities have included significant interest from Florida and Auburn. pic.twitter.com/mEiLUKgcvn
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 28, 2025

The Gators swung for the fences after firing Billy Napier but didn't even reach the warning track. The program has fallen hard since its heyday as a national power, and while the next head coach might be able to alter its fortunes, that won't be Kiffin.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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