The Florida Gators are off to a rough start in the 2024 college football season, putting head coach Billy Napier’s future in Gainesville in doubt. Despite the uncertainty, Florida may take its time before making any changes due to limited coaching options early in the season. While fans have previously hoped for the return of Urban Meyer, he dismissed those rumors by saying, “That ship has sailed.” Another potential candidate mentioned is Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, though it remains to be seen whether the Florida job is more appealing than his current position.
According to a report by Matt Zenitz and John Talty of CBS Sports, two other names being discussed for the job are Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Penn State’s James Franklin. Zenitz highlighted that all three of these coaches are likely to be in the College Football Playoff conversation, which could delay Florida’s decision. One Power Four athletic director emphasized the importance of patience, saying, “I don’t think you go to plan B or C just because somebody’s in the playoff. I think you’ve got to just take your time and do it right. It’s too important.”
This scenario draws parallels to USC’s 2021 coaching search, where they fired Clay Helton in September and conducted a thorough search before eventually hiring Lincoln Riley after he lost out on a top-tier bowl opportunity. With an expanded College Football Playoff, more teams will be in contention, meaning Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin might wait until November to make a final decision.
If the Florida job opens up, it will likely be one of the most coveted positions on the market, drawing interest from high-profile coaches.
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