Florida Gators coaching search: Joel Klatt names top candidates, dark horse to replace Billy Napier

The Florida Gators coaching search is underway and Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt named his top five candidates to replace Billy Napier. In his list, he has his favorite, other candidates and a dark horse to coach Florida next year.

Funny enough, there are three candidates just within the SEC! Could Florida get its next coach from a school down the street (or nearby, not necessarily that close)?

Let’s dive into Klatt’s top coaching candidates for the Florida Gators this cycle. We’ll start with the favorite.

Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss head coach (The Favorite)

Kiffin is the favorite and multiple hot boards mentioned how he is today’s version of Steve Spurrier, perhaps something Florida needs. Ole Miss is 6-1 this year and has been highly successful under Kiffin.

They haven’t won the SEC or made the CFP yet, but some say Kiffin would have more resources at his disposal in Gainesville and will be the difference maker to put the Gators back in the national conversation. He’s 50-19 with the Rebels since 2020.

Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri head coach

Drinkwitz is in the same mold as Kiffin where a move within the SEC, to a higher tier job as some put it, could put him and the program over the top. It seems like Florida wants to make a big swing and Kiffin is a lot of people’s favorite, but Drinkwitz should not be overlooked.

Drinkwitz parlayed a 12-1 record at Appalachian State in 2019 into a 44-25 stint at Mizzou right now. They have won 11 and 10 games the last two years and are 6-1 this season. Maybe Drinkwitz and Florida have to strike while the iron is hot.

Alex Golesh, USF head coach 

Golesh could be a hotter name as the season progresses. He has totally revived South Florida and they could be the G5 representative in the College Football Playoff this season.

He already beat Miami, so that’s music to Florida’s ears. He could stay in-state and have tremendous resources with the Gators and run with it. He is 19-13 with the Bulls and Golesh either is getting a large extension or someone will poach him it seems.

Clark Lea, Vanderbilt head coach

Lea is another case of an SEC coach that could stay in the conference but go to a more traditional football school like Florida. But he’s crushing it as his alma mater right now after a breakthrough in 2024.

The Commodores are 6-1 right now and ranked No. 10 in the country. If he can turn Vandy into a CFP destination, what would it actually take for Florida to get him down south?

James Franklin, former Penn State head coach (Dark Horse)

Now for Klatt’s dark horse candidate. Maybe it’s not a dark horse considering the profile of James Franklin, but due to his lack of success against top 10 teams, Florida might want to steer clear.

Still, Franklin went 104-45 at Penn State while winning the Big Ten in 2016 and made the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. You don’t think Florida would sign up for that right now?