Florida has gotten vibes that coveted coach Lane Kiffin isn’t planning to accept a job offer in Gainesville and is moving on to other candidates, ESPN reported Friday.
A decision from Kiffin, who has Ole Miss squarely in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth, is expected to come Saturday. He is believed to have received extremely lucrative offers from Southeastern Conference foes Florida and LSU — offers designed to lure him from the Rebels, who want him to stay.
But, ESPN reported, “irregular communication” with Kiffin’s camp has left Florida officials believing he is interested in a different dance partner.
Despite their strong interest in hiring Kiffin, 50, to replace the dismissed Billy Napier, Florida is believed to have interviewed at least 10 other coaches. ESPN said that among the group of candidates like Jeff Brohm of Louisville, Jon Sumrall of Tulane and Jedd Fisch of Washington have risen to the top.
A separate ESPN report Friday said Sumrall is expected to decide by Sunday whether to stay at Tulane or accept another offer. Like Florida, Auburn also has “significant interest” in Sumrall, 43.
Sumrall is in his second season at Tulane, after two seasons at Troy, and has an 18-7 overall record with the Green Wave. Tulane is 9-2 (6-1 American) and ranked No. 24 in the College Football Playoff.
Brohm, a Louisville alum, is in his third season with the Cardinals. He has a 26-12 record there, including 7-4 (4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) this season. Brohm, 54, previously had successful runs at Western Kentucky and Purdue.
The Gators also are reaching into the Big Ten with their interest in Fisch, 49, a Florida alum. After three seasons at Arizona and two at Washington, Fisch has a 31-32 record. The Huskies are 8-3 (5-3 Big Ten) heading into their regular-season finale Saturday against No. 6 Oregon.
Florida’s season ends Saturday against Florida State. The Gators stand at 3-8 (2-6 SEC).
