Paul Finebaum believes there is little mystery left in Florida’s coaching search. While the Gators are nearing the end of a rocky season in Gainesville, there's still hope they'll be making a home run hire.
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who has the Rebels on the verge of a run in the College Football Playoff, remains the overwhelming favorite to be Florida's next head coach. He's in the midst of the program’s best five-year stretch, but is it enough to leave Oxford?
Finebaum explained his position Sunday on The Matt Barrie Show, noting that the buzz around Kiffin has reached a new level.
“Everybody seems to know something, and he is going to have a difficult time these next couple of weeks dealing with it,” Finebaum said. “Because everything seems to be pointing toward Florida.”
Could this be one of the biggest hints thus far? The speculation over Kiffin's future intensified after Ole Miss’ 34-24 win over Florida on Saturday. The comeback victory sent Rebels fans chanting “We want Lane!”
Finebaum said the rumor mill surrounding Kiffin has became “impossible to avoid” throughout the week and will only grow over the coming weeks. Especially with Ole Miss surging toward being one of the final 12 teams.
Kiffin declined to address his future directly, instead turning the spotlight toward his players.
“I love what we’re doing here,” Kiffin said after the win. “To even talk about it right now would be so disrespectful to our players.”
Florida fired Billy Napier last month after a start in "The Swamp." Kiffin emerged as an immediate favorite and hasn't come down. LSU is also expected to pursue him, but for now, the Gators lead the charge.
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