Lane Kiffin is the most obvious fit for Florida Gators.
James Franklin is a proven choice, but he’s no slam dunk choice, especially not considering how his Penn State tenure ended.
Would Florida consider another Group of Five hire? If so, put Alex Golesh on list.
Florida’s coaching search must start in Mississippi. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin suits Florida like flip flops and fish bait.
Points. Quarterback play. Quips. Needling the competition. Visor. He’s a dream fit for Florida.
Kiffin is a slam dunk choice for Florida, but it’s not a slam dunk he’d say yes. He’s found success and stability at Ole Miss, where his Rebels are a playoff contender.
What if Kiffin says no?
On this edition of ‘SEC Football Unfiltered,’ a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams consider nine candidates for the Florida job with a round of love it, like it or no thanks.
Should Florida football consider hiring these coaching candidates?
Lane Kiffin, Mississippi
Adams: Love it. A slam dunk choice, if he’d take the job.
Toppmeyer: Love it. He’d be the closest coach to Steve Spurrier Florida could hope to find.
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
Adams: Like it. He’s fared well at Missouri, albeit short on signature wins
Toppmeyer: Like it. He’s Kiffin Light. Would prefer the fully leaded version.
James Franklin, fired Penn State coach
Adams: Love it. Proven winner.
Toppmeyer: No thanks. He’s good for somebody, but not Florida. His personality, lack of quarterback development and inconsistent offensive production would rankle Gators fans.
Jedd Fisch, Washington coach
Adams: No thanks. What’s he done?
Toppmeyer: No thanks. He graduated from Florida. Big deal. So did Layla Kiffin.
Jon Sumrall, Tulane
Adams: No thanks. A good coach, but can’t risk another Group of Five hire.
Toppmeyer: No thanks. But, of my ‘no thanks’ candidates, I like this one best.
Rhett Lashlee, SMU
Adams: No thanks. Good coach, but Florida needs to aim higher.
Toppmeyer: Like it. Not a home run, but a solid double.
Alex Golesh, South Florida
Adams: No thanks. Can’t risk Group of Five hire again.
Toppmeyer: Like it. His high-scoring offense would fit Florida, and he’s already won in The Swamp.
Urban Meyer, FOX analyst
Adams: Absolutely love it. No elaboration necessary.
Toppmeyer: Like it. It would be either awesome or awful. Or, likely, a bit of both.
Jon Gruden, Barstool Sports personality
Adams: I like this – if I could collect a share of the proceeds of the Chucky dolls sold in the university bookstore. Otherwise, maybe not.
Toppmeyer: No thanks. Gruden’s better suited to the job he has as an internet content creator.
Later in the episode
∎ The hosts take a hot seat temperature reading of Auburn’s Hugh Freeze and LSU’s Brian Kelly.
Week 9 picks against the spread!
Toppmeyer’s five-pack of picks (picks in bold):
∎ Alabama (-13.5) at South Carolina
∎ Auburn (-1.5) at Arkansas
∎ Tennessee (-9.5) at Kentucky
∎ Texas (-6.5) at Mississippi State
∎ South Florida (-3.5) at Memphis
Season record: 20-20 (3-2 last week)
Adams’ five-pack of picks (picks in bold):
∎ Tennessee (-9.5) at Kentucky
∎ Alabama (-13.5) at South Carolina
∎ Ole Miss at Oklahoma (-4.5)
∎ Texas A&M (-2.5) at LSU
∎ Minnesota at Iowa (-8.5)
Season record: 18-22 (1-4 last week)
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Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.