Overview
- Florida dismissed Billy Napier after a 3-4 start and installed longtime receivers coach Billy Gonzales to guide the final five regular-season games.
- Multiple outlets identify Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin as the leading target for Florida’s vacancy, though no negotiations have produced an agreement.
- Kiffin earns about $9 million annually at Ole Miss, and AD Keith Carter says he is proactively working on a new deal to keep him in Oxford.
- Reports peg Napier’s buyout near $21 million with roughly half due within 30 days, a financial constraint likely to influence Florida’s pursuit.
- Florida legend Steve Spurrier says the hire should be a proven winner and speaks positively of Kiffin and Eli Drinkwitz, while public chatter includes Robert Griffin III touting Tim Tebow and wider debate over whether Florida is an upgrade from Ole Miss.