Florida Gators Explore Backup Options as Kiffin Decision Looms

Gainesville, FL – As the Florida Gators await a decision from Lane Kiffin on whether he will become their next head coach, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin and his team are considering backup options. This exploration of alternatives has led some to believe that the Gators may not land Kiffin, while others argue it is simply a prudent measure.

One potential backup option, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, is now off the table. On Thursday, Missouri announced that Drinkwitz has signed a contract extension that increases his annual salary to over $10.7 million. Drinkwitz has been at Missouri since 2020, arriving after one season as the head coach at Appalachian State.

Drinkwitz’s tenure at Missouri has yielded mixed results. Although he failed to secure a winning record in his first three years, he achieved back-to-back successful seasons in 2023 and 2024, finishing with 11-2 and 10-3 records, respectively. Analysts have noted, however, that Missouri’s success may not be entirely indicative of strength.

This season, the Tigers hold a 7-4 overall record, including a 3-4 mark in SEC play. Despite being ranked for a portion of the season, they have not defeated a ranked opponent and have gone 0-4 against such teams. Last year, they recorded one win against a ranked opponent, which came against Boston College, a team that struggled overall.

Critics argue that Missouri’s apparent growth has been aided by a comparatively easy schedule. Moreover, during their 11-2 season, they faced challenges, including a narrow victory over a Florida team that finished with a 5-7 record under coach Billy Napier.

As Florida continues to look for potential coaching candidates, Drinkwitz’s extension means they will need to consider other options if Kiffin does not accept the Gators’ offer.