Florida Gators Next Head Coach Odds: College Football Icon Surges to Betting Favorite

The Gators remain in headlines for their coaching search, Ole Miss Rebels' Lane Kiffin among top targets.
Sep 20, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier watches from the sideline against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier watches from the sideline against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

In this story:


Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin remains in headlines this fall as the coaching carousel heats up down the stretch of the college football season.

Kiffin and his Ole Miss squad have cruised to a 9-1 record to open the season with the program firmly in the College Football Playoff race after cracking the Top-10 last week [No. 6] in the rankings.

But Kiffin has social media swirling for other reasons as jobs across America come open this fall - notably the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators gigs- where he has become a hot commodity.

ESPN's Paul Finebaum recently revealed which program he believes has the edge in the "Kiffin Sweepstakes" if he were to depart Oxford for a different program.

"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."

Ole Miss Rebels Football: Lane Kiffin.
Courtesy of Ole Miss Rebels Football.

"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."

But for Kiffin, the Ole Miss shot-caller hasn't thought about the future quite yet as he looks to lead the Rebels to a College Football Playoff berth for the first time in program history.

“I don’t know. I’m not that far down the road,” Kiffin said on Monday 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.”

Ole Miss Rebels Football: Lane Kiffin.
Courtesy of Ole Miss Rebels Football.

But he remains atop the betting favorites for the Florida Gators head coaching gig despite staying mum on the subject.

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].

As the 2025 season winds down, and the Ole Miss Rebels continue inching closer to a College Football Playoff berth, Kiffin will remain a hot topic with all eyes on which direction he goes for the 2026 season.

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

Join the Community:

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


Published
Zack Nagy
ZACK NAGY

Zack Nagy is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Ole Miss Rebels On SI, a Sports Illustrated Publication. Nagy has covered Rebel Football, Baseball, Basketball and Recruiting, looking to keep readers updated on anything and everything involving Ole Miss athletics. Nagy has covered the Southeastern Conference for over half a decade after being born and raised in New Orleans (La.).

Share on XFollow znagy20