Florida Gators Have Three Potential Candidates Emerging With Lane Kiffin In Mix

Kiffin remains at the forefront of the Gators conversation, sitting as the betting favorite for the gig.

Sep 20, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels will host the Florida Gators on Saturday night with the Week 12 SEC showdown earning the primetime slot at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

In a matchup that continues generating significant attention, Kiffin and Co. will look to keep the program's College Football Playoff hopes alive against the Gators in Oxford.

Despite No. 7 Ole Miss cruising in 2025 - with a chance to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history - the program remains in headlines for other reasons.

The future of Kiffin has been a hot topic across the college football landscape with the Ole Miss decision-maker emerging as a primary target for the Florida Gators head coaching gig.

ESPN's Paul Finebaum has been vocal on his stance surrounding Kiffin and a potential departure from Oxford where he believes he's identified his preference if he left Ole Miss.

Courtesy of Ole Miss Rebels Football.

"In the pantheon of worst press conferences by a governor, I think Jeff Landry has retired the trophy," Finebaum said surrounding LSU's chances for Kiffin.

"I have never seen anything like it. I mean, it was dramatic. You literally couldn't take your eyes off of it. But that did not help them with Lane Kiffin in my estimation."

"I think Florida would be Lane Kiffin's first choice, if he leaves. Now, I tend to believe he's going to leave. I am in the minority and every time we say this, a bunch of people in Oxford put their pitchforks up and want to fight.

"Listen, Oxford's a great place. Nobody's saying it isn't. But I think Florida is a better job long-term.... I think it's unique and Kiffin has always been attracted to it for whatever reason."

The Florida Gators job has seen three potential candidates, including Kiffin, recently receive a boost in the betting odds.

Oct 25, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Florida Gators Next Head Coach Odds [BetOnline]:

1. Lane Kiffin: -300
2. Eli Drinkwitz: +120
3. James Franklin: +600
4. Jedd Fisch: +600
5. Jeff Brohm: +1200
6. Brent Key: +2000
7. Jon Sumrall: +2000
8. Clark Lea: +2000
9. Alex Golesh: +2500
10. Kenny Dillingham: +2500

Other named mentioned among the betting favorites include Jon Gruden [+2500] and Brian Kelly [+5000].

The Kalshi Prediction Machine:

Lane Kiffin: 55 percent
Jedd Fisch: 19 percent
Eli Drinkwitz: 9 percent

Drinkwitz has seen his odds drop significantly, according to Kalshi, in the latest predictions for the Florida Gators gig.

Across the last two weeks, Kiffin, Drinkwitz [Missouri], and Fisch [Washington] have remained the three names to know in the Florida program's pursuit for a new head coach, according to both BetOnline and Kalshi.

Oct 25, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

What is Kalshi? Kalshi is a regulated exchange and prediction market where you can trade on the outcome of real-world events - Buy and sell Event Contracts.

For Kiffin, he remains focused on the task at hand for the Ole Miss Rebels as the program looks to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history.

“I don’t know. I’m not that far down the road,” Kiffin said this week of his future. “I said it last week and you guys think I was joking, or it was before South Carolina. Everybody wants to talk about other jobs and everything and I think you are two or three weeks away from coaching for your own job.

"So, you better make sure you’re doing really well where you are. Because as we’ve seen out there, one (loss) might put you out of the top-10. Now two might put you out of the Top 25 and three might get you fired.

"So, I ain’t figured all that out. I’m trying to keep our winning streak, get to 8-0 at home.”

More Ole Miss News:

National Analyst Believes Miami Dolphins Should Hire Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin

Ole Miss Football Great Doubles Down on Lane Kiffin to Florida Gators 'Not Happening'

Tony Vitello Pokes Fun at Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin in Goodbye to Tennessee

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and Ole Miss Rebels On SI: @OleMissOnSI for all coverage surrounding the Ole Miss program.