GAINESVILLE — If Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s repost on his X account of UF quarterback DJ Lagway’s benching against Kentucky was meant to stir the pot and spark rumors in Gainesville, the Gators acted unfazed.
At least, that’s the facade put forth by interim coach Billy Gonzales and his players. For them, Saturday’s visit to Oxford is just another game.
Except it isn’t.
Drive around Gainesville and see how the Lane Train has picked up steam. Signs appear at fraternities and houses, all sending the same message to athletic director Scott Stricklin: We want Kiffin.
Inside the Heavener Football Center, players and coaching staff have remained mum. Gonzales generally limited his remarks about the Rebels’ coach to his team’s offensive statistics, rather than get in the middle of the search for Florida’s next coach.
“I probably shouldn’t even answer those questions, to be honest with you,” he said of Kiffin’s inquiries. “But I think he’s a really good football coach.”
The rest of the team followed Gonzales’ lead as the Gators (3-6, 2-4 SEC) push to avoid fracturing while slipping toward the bottom of the conference standings.
The team’s identity is confused at best, self-destructive at worst. Still, Florida has projected togetherness.
“Everybody on the team actually believes what Billy says about us and how much he actually believes in us,” safety Bryce Thornton said. “When you have a coach behind you so well, everybody wants to play for him, not let him down, especially me. I don’t want to let Billy down, so I try my hardest.”
Under the pressure to remain bowl eligible despite facing two ranked opponents in the final three regular-season games, wish-casting from across the field is excusable. Saturday’s game could also serve as a talent casting, if Kiffin eventually joins the Gators.
Thornton already has a leg up there.
Last year, Florida upset No. 9 Ole Miss last season after Thornton’s two interceptions of Jaxson Dart sealed a 24-17 upset on Nov. 23, 2024 in the Swamp.
UF’s safety was quick to repeat the Gators’ talking point this year: it’ll just be like every other game they’ve played. But he threw in a smile and a quick jab.
“We’re gonna go out there and do our jobs. That’s the biggest thing.” Thornton said. “…Might have put out [their] fun though.”
Still, Kiffin’s connection to Florida’s opening is increasingly hard to ignore.
The Rebels coach was asked at his Monday press conference what makes a school a “good” coaching job.
“People used to say facilities,” he said. “That’s changed, and it’s going to change. It’s going to be, ‘How much NIL do you have? How is your collective? How is it run? How much do you have?’”
Kiffin’s comment aligned with one Stricklin offered after he fired Billy Napier on Oct. 19. Addressing reporters the next day, UF’s AD highlighted the Gators’ abundant resources.
Given Florida’s interest and Kiffin’s options, also including LSU and remaining at Ole Miss, Saturday‘s game carries more meaning than any UF has played this season, even if the Gators and Kiffin aren’t going there.
“I’ve not mentioned it to our staff,” Gonzales said. “I’ve not mentioned it to our players. Do I read [the stories]? Am I aware of it? Absolutely, but we’ve got to prepare. We got to take care of ourselves.”
