![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks with Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin before the start of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 23, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://collegefootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/insider-confirms-florida-lane-kiffin-10-20-25-1920x1310.jpg "Insider Confirms Florida's Lane Kiffin Interest Before Gators' Billy Napier Decision")
Billy Napier’s time in Gainesville has officially come to an end. The Florida Gators fired him after a disappointing 3-4 start to the 2025 season, marking another chapter of underachievement for the program. His four-year stint ended with a losing record and minimal progress in SEC play.
For a fan base desperate for national relevance, patience finally ran out. Napier’s inconsistency, poor showings against ranked teams, and lack of offensive identity sealed his fate. With Napier out, Florida’s attention has quickly turned toward one of the biggest names in college football, Lane Kiffin.
The Ole Miss head coach has emerged as a top contender for the Gators’ vacancy, viewed by many as the kind of dynamic offensive mind capable of jumpstarting the program. Almost immediately after the firing, reports surfaced suggesting that Kiffin was not just an option, he was the leading one.
However, what makes this situation even more interesting is the timing. Multiple reports, now backed by CBS Sports’ John Talty, confirmed that Florida’s administration had already been exploring Kiffin’s potential fit before Napier was officially let go.
Even before firing Billy Napier, Florida AD Scott Stricklin has been doing due diligence on Lane Kiffin, sources told @CBSSports.
At Ole Miss, Lane is happiest he’s been but how he handles Florida’s expected interest will be fascinating.
More here: https://t.co/6loDGu8iW6 pic.twitter.com/3iGIrWdrcY
— John Talty (@JTalty) October 19, 2025
That due diligence reportedly included informal background checks and discussions about what it would take to lure Kiffin away from Ole Miss. This revelation adds weight to the speculation that Florida’s leadership had made up its mind before pulling the trigger on Napier’s firing.
Behind the scenes, Florida is said to be moving quickly. Athletic Director Scott Stricklin is under pressure to make a decisive and high-profile hire, one that restores confidence among boosters and fans. Kiffin’s name checks every box.
The only question is whether he would leave Ole Miss, where he has built stability and earned strong administrative backing.
Kiffin Responds to the Florida Buzz
The Ole Miss coach addressed the reports in his usual composed tone, acknowledging the speculation but downplaying its significance. He made it clear that his focus remains on his current team and their ongoing season.
Kiffin expressed appreciation for the support he receives at Ole Miss and pointed out how consistent success naturally attracts attention from other programs.
“Extremely appreciative of how everyone’s been here. Keith, the chancellor, everybody. So, (I’m) flattered that that would even be being discussed halfway through the season. But I don’t deal with that,” Kiffin SAID on Sunday.
As Florida begins its formal search, Kiffin remains the frontrunner. The Gators are expected to explore other candidates, but the momentum surrounding the Ole Miss coach is undeniable.
For now, Kiffin is saying the right things publicly, but behind closed doors, Florida’s interest appears real and well-advanced. Whether it leads to a deal will depend on timing, commitment, and how much both sides are willing to risk to make it happen.
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