Rece Davis Names Best Destination for Lane Kiffin Between Ole Miss and Florida

Bill Napier's tenure as the head coach of the Florida Gators is a sticking point for college football discourse following a dismal beginning to the 2024 season. After two straight losing seasons to start his career in Gainesville, UF is 1-2 with the nation's toughest schedule remaining.

Florida fans are not accustomed to the losing trend, thus prompting unrest with Napier and leading to conversations about who should replace him if a move does happen this season. It should be noted that UF leaders like athletic director Scott Stricklin and athletic department ambassador Steve Spurrier have only doubled down on their faith in Napier amid the struggles.

Perhaps the most popular choice among Florida fans is Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who reportedly signed an eight-year contract extension in December after leading the Rebels to their first two 10-win regular seasons. Kiffin and the Rebels look even better in 2024, sitting at 3-0 and No. 5 in the latest AP Top 25.

Kiffin does have ties to the state of Florida after spending three seasons at the helm of Florida Atlantic from 2017-19. There is also more of a history of winning at UF, with three national championships since 1996, compared to Ole Miss, with zero over that span. But for ESPN college football host Rece Davis, Kiffin would not be well served with a move to Gainesville considering what he has helped build in Oxford.

“As I said earlier, I’m not the biggest fan about this, but you also can’t ignore the obvious and you also can’t ignore the obvious and pretend they won’t go after Lane Kiffin," Davis said . "As we sit here right now, in the current state of football – college football – and the way player acquisitions go and the way alignment goes and the way the coach likes to be in charge and have things his way, Lane Kiffin has a better job right now. He is … at best making a lateral move."

Before Kiffin arrived at Ole Miss, the Rebels had never won more than nine games in a regular season. Kiffin and company have accomplished that feat twice in the last three seasons, including the only 11-win season in program history (2023). They've also recruited at a high level, especially in the transfer portal.

This likely won't be the last of the Kiffin-Florida discussion this season. It will only grow if UF leaders decide to move on from Napier sooner rather than later.

Related: Paul Finebaum ‘Convinced’ There is Massive Quarterback Controversy for College Football Powerhouse

Related: Shedeur Sanders Reveals Argument with Cam Ward Over NFL Draft