STARKVILLE, Miss. — Florida has shifted focus from Lane Kiffin within the college’s teaching search, as the college has sensed by irregular communication that he is fascinated by different choices, sources instructed ESPN on Friday.
Florida, which is looking for former coach Billy Napier’s successor, has interviewed roughly a dozen candidates and is optimistic in regards to the course of.
It’s believed Louisville’s Jeff Brohm and Tulane’s Jon Sumrall are among the many candidates the Gators are nonetheless contemplating.
Florida focused Kiffin early within the search and provided him a deal to place him among the many highest paid coaches in school soccer, which included vital incentives.
Ole Miss officers instructed ESPN forward of Saturday’s Egg Bowl in opposition to Mississippi State in Starkville that Kiffin is anticipated to offer them with a call about his future on Friday night time or Saturday. He is additionally contemplating a profitable contract provide from SEC rival LSU.
LSU additionally desires a solution from Kiffin, because the teaching carousel has intensified the Tigers’ search, in addition to a possible one at Ole Miss if Kiffin leaves.
Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea, two of the highest candidates believed to be into consideration at both Florida or LSU, signed six-year contract extensions with their respective faculties up to now 24 hours. Washington’s Jeff Fisch can be believed to be into consideration.
If the No. 7 Rebels defeat the Bulldogs on Saturday, they will end 11-1 and are anticipated to achieve the School Soccer Playoff for the primary time. They may host a first-round sport at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, on Dec. 19 or 20.
If Kiffin decides to go away for LSU, the Rebels have an interim plan in place. Sources beforehand instructed ESPN that former New York Giants interim coach Joe Choose would probably function interim head coach.
Sources instructed ESPN that each one choices are nonetheless on the desk if Kiffin decides to exchange Brian Kelly as LSU’s coach-even doubtlessly teaching the Rebels within the CFP. However sources mentioned Kiffin sticking round after agreeing to teach at an SEC rival wasn’t an excellent state of affairs.
Kiffin, 50, has guided the Rebels to a 54-19 file in his six seasons — solely Alabama (66-12) and Georgia (70-8) have extra wins within the SEC because the begin of the 2020 season. The truth is, the Rebels have the eighth-most wins amongst power-conference groups throughout that stretch.