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Where ESPN ranks Florida in the Power-Four job market

79417-removebg-preview (1)by: Corey Bender11/24/25Corey_Bender

On Monday, ESPN released its updated look at the 2025-26 coaching carousel, placing the Florida Gators‘ job near the top among Power Four openings

In the story, “Ranking college football’s open Power 4 jobs,” the Gators are listed behind only LSU and Penn State. The ranking is based on playoff access, roster talent, leadership stability and financial support.

ESPN included nine open Power Four jobs: Florida, Stanford, UCLA, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Penn State, LSU, Auburn and Cal. Virginia Tech was taken off the board after hiring James Franklin on Nov. 19.

Florida’s spot at No. 3 comes with a mix of criticism and upside. ESPN doesn’t shy away from pointing out recent struggles, saying: “The lack of a single College Football Playoff appearance is jarring for a program that won three national championships between 1996 and 2008.”

The story also notes the Florida Gators’ inconsistent results since 2020 and the challenge of navigating the new SEC; however, ESPN adds that talent on the roster was not the issue. One SEC coordinator told them: “They look pretty. They’ve got good-looking players.”

ESPN emphasizes that the Gators are now investing heavily in their football infrastructure. Athletic director Scott Stricklin is quoted saying: “UF has never been more invested in the success of this football program — elite facilities, robust NIL opportunities and comprehensive support for our student athletes and staff — than we are today.” At the same time though, a Florida staffer told ESPN, “With money for the most part being equal going forward, this is not an elite job.”

ESPN’s bottom-line assessment

ESPN sums up the job this way: “Florida is the only SEC program in a state loaded with talent and now has the financial infrastructure to support its coach as he chases a national championship. But the overall coaching churn and uneven results in Gainesville can’t be ignored.”

For now, Florida remains one of the most premier openings this cycle. ESPN’s ranking shows why the search is drawing national attention.

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