ESPN's Ryan McGee explains why Lane Kiffin 'is the list' when Florida searches for new coach
After losing to Texas A&M on Saturday and dropping to 1-2 on the season, Florida head coach Billy Napier‘s job security is in question. On Monday, ESPN’s Ryan McGee claimed Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin would be Florida’s No. 1 choice if they decided to search for a new head coach.
“I was in a couple of different situations and rooms and locations with people who have legitimate power in these things. Lane Kiffin is the list,” McGee said. “Anyone else, they feel like they’re settling. And I’m not just talking about the fan base. I’m talking about the checkbooks.
“Lane Kiffin is the list, and these are the same people that said to me they didn’t expect Billy Napier to make it the Monday if they lost the game in an embarrassing way, which they did on Saturday. So they’re trying to figure it out right now, but Lane Kiffin is the list.”
There are few head coaching candidates with more experience than Lane Kiffin. With stops at powerhouse programs such as Tennessee, Alabama, USC and, most recently, Ole Miss, Kiffin is a proven success.
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Kiffin is particularly hailed for his offensive genius, which grows ever more enticing as Florida continues to struggle to move the ball. Kiffin is no stranger to the Sunshine State, either. He was the head coach at FAU from 2017-19.
Nonetheless, McGee believes perhaps Kiffin’s personality is his most appealing trait to Florida’s administration and fans.
“They have a cult of personality issue,” McGee said. “Billy Napier was never going to fit. I think Billy Naper is going to go somewhere else and win 10 games a year, like he did at Louisiana. I love Billy Napier. I’m on the record for it. This fit didn’t work.
“[Florida] liked having the guys with the veins sticking out of their necks or the guys that made the cute comments ad the press conferences… They love that stuff, the stuff that the rest of us maybe even get sick of. Lane Kiffin is the guy.”
From his hilarious social media posts to his press conference antics, Kiffin has no shortage of personality. Alas, the question comes back to logistics. Before Florida can even worry about pursuing Kiffin, it must find the funds to buy out Napier’s remaining contract.
“Talking about the timeline, they don’t care about disrupting anything for anyone else,” McGee said. “We all agree that Lane Kiffin is a different person than he was in the past. But I would also argue that he probably doesn’t care. But right now, he’s the list. And right now, they’re rolling their quarters to make that $26 million buyout.”