Pretty much all of SEC country would be good with Lane Kiffin coaching on their sideline in 2026.
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However, the Ole Miss head coach will only be coaching one team next season. Kiffin is expected to reveal his plans for 2026 on Saturday, one day following the “Egg Bowl’ between the Rebels and Mississippi State on Friday.
LSU and Florida are battling with Ole Miss for Kiffin’s services in 2026. The Tigers are reportedly ready to give Kiffin a nearly $98 million contract.
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On Friday, the Gators were reportedly ready to match LSU and Ole Miss at an offer of $90 million. But the price has since gone up.
Florida needs to have a backup plan for Kiffin. Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key has been linked to the Gators in recent days and could be an intriguing pickup for athletic director Scott Stricklin.
During ABC’s broadcast of the Florida-Tennessee contest, Kirk Herbstreit linked Lincoln Riley to the Gators, saying he’s “heard” the USC head coach connected to the program. Herbstreit also believes Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz could be in play for Florida.
“Everybody’s talking about Lane,” Herbstreit said, via a transcription by On3. “What if Lane Kiffin stays at Ole Miss or goes to LSU? I’ve been asking everybody ‘What if you don’t get Lane Kiffin? Who’s next?’ Lincoln Riley… I’ve heard his name. Eli Drinkwitz. There are different names, but it seems here at Florida, they’re all counting on Lane Kiffin.”
Riley and Drinkwitz were both losers in big games on Saturday.
No. 15 USC dropped to 8-3 (and out of the College Football Playoff race) with a 42-27 loss to No. 7 Oregon. No. 8 Oklahoma defeated No. 22 Missouri 17-6, the fourth loss for the Tigers this season.
Riley hasn’t been able to achieve the same success with USC that he had with Oklahoma when he reached the CFP three years in a row. He could be looking for a fresh start in 2026, and Florida would provide him with the resources needed to compete for the CFP.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
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