Florida’s football season stumbled out of the gate with a tough loss to Miami two weeks ago, where the Gators struggled to keep up, both offensively and defensively. Adding to their troubles, starting quarterback Graham Mertz suffered a concussion, sidelining him for last week’s game against Samford.
In Mertz’s absence, freshman quarterback DJ Lagway made his first start and impressed with a solid performance, offering a glimpse of hope for the future. However, the road ahead is steep, as Florida faces one of the hardest schedules in college football this season.
Head coach Billy Napier, already feeling the heat, has found himself on the hot seat, with many Gator fans calling for his dismissal following the disappointing loss to Miami. The mounting pressure makes it increasingly likely that Florida could consider a coaching change if things don’t improve this season. Should the Gators part ways with Napier in the offseason, they may look to poach a successful SEC coach who has transformed their own program into a winner over the last five years. This potential move could signal a reset for Florida, as they aim to regain their status as an SEC powerhouse.
Florida Could Target Lane Kiffin
Lane Kiffin has certainly elevated Ole Miss into SEC title contention in recent years, and if the Florida Gators decide to move on from Billy Napier, Kiffin would be a prime candidate for the job. As one of the most dynamic coaches in college football, Kiffin has shown an ability to adapt to the modern game, particularly by effectively leveraging the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities to build competitive rosters.
College football analyst Josh Pate recently appeared on *Crain & Company* and was asked about the possibility of Kiffin taking the Florida job. Pate didn’t hesitate, saying, “In a heartbeat, Kiffin would walk to Florida if they gave him the job.” Pate’s comments suggest that Kiffin sees the Florida program as a step up, potentially giving him the platform to turn the Gators back into a dominant force, similar to their successful run under Urban Meyer in the mid-2000s.
Since Meyer’s departure in 2010, Florida has been an average team by its standards, but the program has proven that with the right leadership, it can compete for national titles. Kiffin’s aggressive approach in building rosters through the transfer portal and his ability to navigate NIL dynamics make him an ideal candidate to restore the Gators’ former glory. If Florida decides to part ways with Napier at the end of the season, making a call to Kiffin could be a game-changing move for the program.
