Pete Thamel links Jeff Brohm, Rhett Lashlee, Jedd Fisch to Florida coaching search

The Florida job is officially open following the ouster of coach Billy Napier on Sunday. It figures to be one of the most coveted openings in the country this go-round.

ESPN insider Pete Thamel provided a few names on the list for Florida to go along with the highly discussed names like Lane Kiffin and Eli Drinkwitz. He also opened up on the likelihood of the Gators pulling a coach like that from his current school.

“I still think Florida’s a very good job,” Thamel said on the College GameDay Podcast. “I don’t think, you’d be hard pressed if you’re at a traditional have-not in the SEC like Ole Miss or Missouri to pass on that job.”

But who are some of the other names that Florida fans should focus on as the search progresses from here? Thamel threw out some interesting options.

“I also want to add the name Jeff Brohm to the mix,” Thamel said, tapping the Louisville coach. “Talk about a guy who fits the ethos you were talking about of yards, aggression, creativity, fun. If you don’t like watching Jeff Brohm’s teams play, ooh. How about those opening couple scripts against Miami, off a bye week? He’s constantly innovating, and that’s kind of part of when Florida was great they had great offensive minds behind it.”

The tricky part with Brohm might be that he’s at his alma mater already. Leaving would require some interesting decisions.

That said, Brohm is 24-9 in his three years as the Louisville coach. He’s got his team 5-1 this season and is fresh off an upset of No. 2 Miami.

Other names? How about the current SMU coach…

“I think Rhett Lashlee‘s name will linger around in this search,” Thamel said. “He’s a possibility. He may stay, because he’s at a very good job and they’re going to pay him whatever he wants, but he’s certainly going to factor into a bunch of these jobs.”

Finally, Thamel circled a coach that has some ties to Florida in his background. That’s the current Washington head coach.

“And I think the name Jedd Fisch is going to be bandied around, too, the Washington coach,” Thamel said. “He’s a Florida grad. He was famously Howie Roseman‘s roommate for like six weeks their sophomore year. Jedd Fisch came through there, student worker under (Steve) Spurrier, not a player. And has had great success so far at Washington.”

Will other names pop up for the Florida opening? Undoubtedly. For now, though, Thamel thinks that’s a solid group to start vetting and watching for the job.

“So I think that’s probably the list, right?” Thamel said. “If it doesn’t come from that list I think it would be pretty surprising.”