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Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has been linked heavily to the Florida Gators coaching job. These claims have only intensified in the last few days as current Gators coach Billy Napier continues to lead the program into further defeats.
Kiffin has been linked to this role by CBS Sports' Josh Pate and others. However, there is no indication that it will be available for him, or that he will be in the position to take it.
Here are some reasons that might trigger Kiffin to leave Ole Miss and join Florida.
5 Reasons why Lane Kiffin could join the Florida Gators
Billy Napier is fired
The most obvious reason for Kiffin to join the Gators is for the program to get rid of the current coach.
During his time with the Gators, Napier has not been able to turn this program around. In the previous two seasons under Napier, Florida had 5-7 and 6-7 records, while 2024 started with two losses in three games.
Getting rid of Napier will only open the door for a potential Kiffin arrival.
Lane Kiffin wins the national championship with Ole Miss
Kiffin has turned the Ole Miss Rebels into one of College Football's strongest teams with a 37-15 record since 2020. In 2024, while they do have an outside chance of doing this, they could make a run in the extended College Football Playoffs and win the national championship.
If Kiffin were do to this he could do the same as Michigan Wolverines' former coach Jim Harbaugh did last season, and move for a different challenge. This challenge could be in Gainsville, coaching the Gators.
Easier recruitment in Florida could be essential for Kiffin
The recruitment pool in the state of Florida is far larger than that in the state of Mississippi. Even when they are struggling, the Florida Gators are a tempting destination for many high school players.
Under Billy Napier, the Gators struggled with recruitment (which may be because of their poor form in the previous seasons). Still, Florida's class of recruits for 2025 is ranked 19th in the On3's ranking, while Ole Miss is at 22nd.
If Lane Kiffin enters the program, recruitment would become easier as recruits would be drawn to his coaching.
Kiffin might want to leave after Jaxson Dart leaves
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart has been one of the key players in the Ole Miss offense and will be playing in what could be his final year of College Football this season. Without Dart, Ole Miss could regress to their previous seven-to-eight wins a season form and to the middle of the pack in the SEC.
While Florida currently has issues at QB with Graham Mertz, freshman QB DJ Lagway is highly tipped for success. There could be a moment when Kiffin may want to head to Florida to coach this upcoming star
Lane Kiffin buys out his contract
Another reason that could open the door for Kiffin in Florida would be buying out his contract at Ole Miss. The Clarion-Ledger reported that Kiffin would have to pay $4 million to end his contract (which reportedly ends in 2029) with Rebels early.
This move could allow Lane Kiffin to become the new coach of the Florida Gators.
