Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
File: 50-19 in six seasons at Ole Miss; 111-53 in 14th season general
Buzz: Kiffin’s Ole Miss offenses have ranked within the high three of the SEC, together with No. 1 in 2020, 2021 and 2024, whereas Billy Napier’s assault at the moment ranks thirteenth, and was twelfth in 2024. Quarterback DJ Lagway and tailback Jadan Baugh, each sophomores, and true freshman receivers Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III would thrive in Kiffin’s system. Kiffin has but to contend for an SEC title, however at UF he would have higher sources, amenities and custom to promote in one of many nation’s recruiting hotbeds. Few higher capitalize on the switch portal. The 50-year-old is settled in Oxford and has matured from the brash, unreliable 30-something at Tennessee in 2009 or later at USC. One other promoting level: Ex-wife Layla Reaves is the daughter of former Gators quarterback nice John Reaves.
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
File: 38-12 in fourth season.
Buzz: Freeman is likely one of the sport’s rising stars — simply 39, charismatic, a high recruiter and a winner. At Florida, he would be capable of lure gamers, particularly from the portal, he couldn’t at Notre Dame, the place stringent tutorial necessities have been a supply of consternation for earlier coaches, together with LSU’s Brian Kelly. Freeman does have a defensive background; he was a three-year beginning linebacker at Ohio State (2006-08). The Gators’ ethos, impressed by Steve Spurrier, is scoring factors. However Freeman employed Mike Denbrock away from LSU in late 2023, a transfer thought of a coup, and has put collectively high offensive strains, an space the place the Gators have struggled for years.
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
File: 44-25 in sixth season; 58-26 in seventh season general.
Buzz: Drinkwitz inherited a floundering program, however steadily constructed it into one of many SEC’s most constant. The Tigers are 27-6 the previous three seasons after going 17-19 his first three years in Columbia. The 42-year-old is offensive minded and may be brash, giving Gator followers a touch of Spurrier. Missouri’s recruiting has improved considerably with Drinkwitz, who inked the No. 14 class in 2025, together with the No. 7 switch class, in keeping with 247Sports. Three of his previous 4 recruiting courses ranked twenty first or increased. Drinkwitz received’t come cheaply. Missouri signed him to an extension in July, paying him $9 million yearly, ultimately rising to $9.5 million in 2028. If the the native of Alma, Ark., had been to go away, he additionally might take into account his dwelling state Razorbacks after the college fired Sam Pittman.
Jedd Fisch, Washington
File: 28-30 in fifth season
Buzz: Fisch is a possible lengthy shot, however has sturdy UF ties. The 49-year-old was a graduate assistant underneath Steve Spurrier in 1999-2000 after earned his diploma at UF in 1998. The Huskies are 5-2 throughout Fisch’s second season after Saturday’s 24-7 loss at Michigan. He inherited an abhorrent Arizona program in 2021 as a first-time head coach, went 1-11 and two seasons later was 10-3 earlier than heading to Seattle.
James Franklin
File: 128-60 in 15 seasons, together with 104-45 in 12 seasons at Penn State
Buzz: Franklin is a blended bag and a fallback possibility. He was 24-15 from 2011-13 at Vanderbilt, profitable there like nobody had in many years. Franklin did not win one other Large Ten title at Penn State after his crew captured the 2016 crown. He additionally led the 2024 Nittany Lions to the CFP semifinals. However his free fall at Penn State ended with consecutive losses to UCLA and Northwestern regardless of being favored by 20 or extra factors, a primary because the FBS and FCS cut up in 1978. Franklin received at a 69.8% charge, however received 16% of the time in opposition to AP top-10 groups. Franklin is a robust recruiter who signed operating again Saquon Barkley and linebacker Micah Parsons, two NFL megastars.
Edgar Thompson may be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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