Kiffin Top Target in Florida Coaching Search

Florida fired Billy Napier and has identified Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin as its leading target in the ensuing coaching search. Ole Miss recently rallied for a 34–26 road win at No. 13 Oklahoma — improving to 7–1 and bolstering its SEC-title and College Football Playoff prospects — with Trinidad Chambliss throwing for 314 yards; Kiffin praised the team's resilience while acknowledging some controversial in-game decisions. Kiffin has been widely linked to the Florida vacancy, a view echoed by commentators and analysts, but he says he addressed the rumors directly with players and emphasized strong personal ties to Oxford and the Ole Miss community. Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter has reportedly contacted Kiffin’s agent to try to prevent offseason disruption, and Kiffin is under contract through Dec. 31, 2030 with a reported $9 million annual salary plus bonuses. While Kiffin remains the headline candidate for Florida, those contractual and institutional efforts make his departure uncertain.