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Florida coaching search: Kirk Herbstreit reveals Lincoln Riley, Eli Drinkwitz floated as backup options for Lane Kiffin

Danby: Daniel Hager2 hours agoDanielHagerOn3
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© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Lane Kiffin sweepstakes have become the biggest story in all of college football as the regular season comes to an end.

Whether or not Kiffin will remain at Ole Miss or depart for an opening at Florida or LSU has yet to be revealed. Two of these programs will not be led by Kiffin next season however, which means that there needs to be a backup plan.

During Tennessee‘s blowout of Florida in Gainesville Saturday night, ESPN‘s Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit discussed backup plans for Florida if Kiffin decides not to coach there. Herbstreit named USC head coach Lincoln Riley and Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz as potential successors to Billy Napier in Gainesville if Kiffin doesn’t work out.

“Everybody’s talking about Lane,” Herbstreit said. “What if Lane Kiffin stays at Ole Miss or goes to LSU? I’ve been asking everybody ‘what if you don’t get Lane Kiffin? Who’s next?’ Lincoln Riley… I’ve heard his name. Eli Drinkwitz. There are different names, but it seems here at Florida, they’re all counting on Lane Kiffin.”

Riley has been with USC since the 2022 season, where he’s led the Trojans to a 34-17 record. Drinkwitz, who has been with Missouri since 2020, has led his program to a 45-28 record and a 2-2 record against Florida. Drinkwitz refused to comment about any job openings during Wednesday’s weekly SEC teleconference.

“Yeah, I’m not gonna make any comments about jobs,” Drinkwitz said. “I’m talking about the Oklahoma game. See my press conference from yesterday about my statement regarding that position. But I appreciate the question.”

Drinkwitz did recently comment on other job openings that his name has been linked to. As recently as Monday, he shot down the idea that he wants to leave Missouri, calling it a distraction.

“All of this stuff is just a distraction,” Drinkwitz said. “I would like to remind everybody, including our fans, we absolutely love Mizzou. We love what we’re building. … My focus is going to remain on our team and our current situation and I am not going to get into all of that.”