Florida Gators coaching search will be impacted by LSU firing Kelly

LSU fired Brian Kelly Sunday evening causing a ripple effect throughout college football. By electing to eat Kelly’s whopping $53.333 million buyout, LSU effectively raised the stakes for every successful coach in the country. It is going to cost more to hire new coaches and schools that want to retain their coaches will be forced to renegotiate contracts.

The willingness of schools like LSU, Penn State ($46.8 million buyout of James Franklin) and Florida ($21 million buyout of Billy Napier) to fire coaches with hefty buyouts means that no coach is safe if the boosters and administration want him gone. Kentucky, for example, has already said Mark Stoops’ approximately $40 million buyout will not be an obstacle. Auburn is contemplating eating the $20.3 million it would take to buyout Hugh Freeze. Florida State doesn’t have the money in hand – $59.16 million – to fire Mike Norvell, but boosters and the administration are looking for ways to put a buyout deal together.

Buying out a contract is just the first issue. The second is hiring a new coach, which typically entails paying buyout money. Florida wants to hire Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. It will cost Florida $3 million to pay the Ole Miss buyout, plus a contract that will may end up doubling what the Gators were paying Billy Napier ($7.25 million). Florida has made a back channel offer of six years, $13.5 million per year. Ole Miss reportedly is scrambling to match the Florida offer. If the Gators wish to hire Kiffin, chances are it will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million.

With schools like Florida, LSU, Penn State and Arkansas searching and it’s not even November, we’re about to see a level of coach hiring inflation like never before. Schools that want to keep their coach are going to offer extensions and raises. Schools that want to hire coaches are going to have to pay more than the previous coach. At LSU, for example, Kelly was making more than $10 million a year. To hire a top of the line coach it will cost LSU at least $14-15 million.

Someone has to pay for the fired and newly hired coaches. Boosters will ante up millions, booster fees and ticket prices will soar and the cost of concessions and other amenities at the stadium will rise accordingly.

All this and it’s only November.

Associated Press top 25: 1. Ohio State 7-0; 2. Indiana 8-0; 3. Texas A&M 8-0; 4. Alabama 7-1; 5. Georgia 6-1; 6. Oregon 7-1; 7. Ole Miss 7-1; 8. Georgia Tech 8-0; 9. Vanderbilt 7-1; 10. (Tie) BYU 8-0 and Miami 6-1; 12. Notre Dame 5-2; 13. Texas Tech 7-1; 14. Tennessee 6-2; 15. Virginia 7-1; 16. Louisville 6-1; 17. Cincinnati 7-1; 18. Oklahoma 6-2; 19. Missouri 6-2; 20. Texas 6-2; 21. Michigan 6-2; 22. Houston 7-1; 23. Southern California 5-2; 24. Utah 6-2; 25. Memphis 7-1

AFCA Coaches top 25: 1. Ohio State 7-0; 2. Indiana 8-0; 3. Texas A&M 8-0; 4. Alabama 7-1; 5. Georgia 6-1; 6. Oregon 6-1; 7. Georgia Tech 8-0; 8. Ole Miss 7-1; 9. Miami 6-1; 10. BYU 8-0; 11. Vanderbilt 7-1; 12. Notre  Dame 5-2; 13. Texas Tech 7-1; 14. Tennessee 6-2; 15. Virginia 7-1; 16. Cincinnati 7-1; 17. Louisville 6-1; 18. Oklahoma 6-2; 19.  Texas 6-2; 20. Missouri 6-2; 21. Michigan 6-2; 22. Houston 7-1; 23. Navy 7-0; 24. Utah 6-2; 25. Memphis 7-1

SEC FOOTBALL

No. 4 Alabama (7-1, 5-0 SEC): Prior to the game-tying drive in the fourth quarter (14 plays, 79 yards), Alabama had turned the ball over on downs then followed with three consecutive three-and-outs. On that drive, QB Ty Simpson completed 7-9 passes for 54 yards and ran once for seven more.  

Arkansas (2-6, 0-4 SEC): The second half offensive performance in the loss to Auburn had Arkansas fans taking to social media to declare this the end of any chance the interim label will be lifted off Bobby Petrino.Saturday: Mississippi State (4-4, 0-4 SEC)

Auburn (4-4, 1-4 SEC): Getting a win didn’t remove Hugh Freeze from the hot seat, but at least it provided a delay. If Auburn can beat Kentucky Saturday, Freeze will be within one win of bowl eligible with three games to play. Will 6-6 calm the fire Freeze hysteria? Saturday: Kentucky (2-5, 0-5 SEC)

No. 5 Georgia (6-1, 4-1 SEC): Georgia has opened as a 7.5-point favorite over Florida. Saturday: vs. FLORIDA (3-4, 2-2 SEC) in Jacksonville

Kentucky (2-5, 0-5 SEC): The heat on HBC Mark Stoops has ratcheted up considerably. Thought just three years ago to be one of the most secure coaches in the SEC, his very hot seat is getting hotter by the game. The Wildcats were blown out by Tennessee which lit up the UK defense for 56 points and 504 yards.  Saturday: at Auburn (4-4, 1-4 SEC)

LSU (5-3, 2-3 SEC): They finally wised up at LSU and figured out Brian Kelly is a bad fit. They have everything needed to be a consistent playoff and SEC title contender.

Mississippi State (4-4, 0-4 SEC): The Bulldogs have lost three of their four SEC games by a combined 16 points. They are very close to being good. Right now they’re capable of scaring the bejabbers out of any team they play.

No. 19 Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC): Quarterback Beau Pribula is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a dislocated ankle against Vanderbilt. The ankle was popped into place and apparently will not require surgery but proper healing will take more than a month.

No. 18 Oklahoma (6-2, 2-2 SEC): The loss to Ole Miss complicated matters for Oklahoma. The Sooners have four games remaining, all against ranked teams.  A late season collapse could also signal jeopardy for head coach Brent Venables.Saturday: at No. 14 Tennessee (6-2, 3-2 SEC)

No. 7 Ole Miss (7-1, 4-1 SEC): The Rebels are a game away from the top spot in the SEC, but whether they make it to Atlanta or not, they have one of the easiest paths to the College Football Playoff. Ole Miss doesn’t play a ranked opponent, has three straight home games and ends the season at Mississippi State. Saturday: vs. South Carolina (3-5, 1-5 SEC)

South Carolina (3-5, 1-5 SEC): Despite his assurance that he is 100 percent committed to South Carolina, speculation continues to mount that Shane Beamer will leave to become the HBC at Virginia Tech. Whether Beamer is nudged out or leaves completely on his own volition remains to be seen. Saturday: at No. 7 Ole Miss (7-1, 4-1 SEC)

No. 14 Tennessee (6-2, 3-2 SEC): The Vols are third nationally in total offense (501.1 yards per game) and second in scoring (46.5 points per game). Defense is another problem altogether. The Vols rank 101^stnationally in total defense (401.5 yards per game) and 112^th in scoring defense (30.9 per game). Saturday: No. 18 Oklahoma (6-2, 2-2 SEC)

No. 20 Texas (6-2, 3-1 SEC): Arch Manning suffered a concussion in the Longhorns’ come-from-behind win over Mississippi State. He is under concussion protocol now which means his status for Saturday’s game with 9^th-ranked Vanderbilt will be listed day-to-day. Saturday: No. 9 Vanderbilt (7-1, 3-1 SEC)

No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0 SEC): With their seven sacks for -49 yards in the win over LSU, the Aggies now lead the nation. Aggie pass rushers have taken down quarterbacks 32 times for 248 yards in losses. Cashus Howell is tied for third nationally with 9.5 sacks.  

No. 9 Vanderbilt (7-1, 3-1 SEC): Saturday: at No. 20 Texas (6-2, 3-1 SEC)

COUNTDOWN TO FIRING DAY: OCTOBER 26 EDITION

Extinct Species List

Brian Kelly, LSU: LSU spent NIL money like crazy to bring in what was billed as the No. 1 transfer class in the country. So how’s that working out? Kelly went 5-3 this season and was 34-14 in his 48 games as the LSU head coach. The buyout is $53.333 million. If they can afford the buyout, then they can afford to bring in an outstanding coach.

Billy Napier, Florida: Florida has made the first move to land Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss has countered. Florida has more money, more resources and a far better chance to be a championship program. Will that be enough to lure him from Ole Miss.

Sam Pittman, Arkansas: The Arkansas season is in the tank. Scratch Bobby Petrino from the possible list and maybe Rhett Lashlee too. That loss to Wake Forest Gump is going to seriously hurt his chances. Is this a landing spot for James Franklin?

James Franklin, Penn State: They would love to hire Matt Rhule, but he’s got Nebraska flying high once again. It’s a good job but potential candidates might be spooked by firing James Franklin who had a 128-60 record at Penn State.

DeShaun Foster, UCLA: Tim Skipper was on the radar until UCLA was gassed by Indiana. So, back to the drawing board. Keep an eye on Spencer Danielson, the head coach at Boise State.

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State: Gundy was in year 22. There is a lot of oil money to spend here but has the program cratered? Dana Holgorsen might be an option here.

Brent Pry, Virginia Tech: It’s looking more and more like Shane Beamer will be encouraged by the South Carolina folks to heed the call of mama. The Hokies are calling!

Trent Dilfer, UAB: There isn’t a lot of money here, so Alex Mortenson might could have the interim label removed if he continues to win.

Trent Bray, Oregon State: Money is an issue and so is this funky new version of the Pac-12 that will be unveiled next year.

Jay Norvell, Colorado State: Could Billy Gonzales be the right fit here? He’s a CSU alum who worked and played for Urban Meyer. He’s also worked for Les Miles and Dan Mullen so he’s got a nice resume.

On Life Support

Mike Norvell, Florida State: If they had the money he would already be gone. FSU might have to hold raffles and bake sales to raise the money to fire him and pay the buyout. They’re hoping he takes a job somewhere else.

Hugh Freeze, Auburn: He’s hanging by a thread. Can he survive if he gets to six wins this year?

Luke Fickell, Wisconsin: He’s tried to change Wisconsin from bludgeoning opponents to one that spreads the field and attacks. Bad idea. His new fangled offense isn’t working.

Mark Stoops, Kentucky: They are once again the Mildcats. Stoops has an enormous buyout but a second straight losing season has turned the fan base against him. UK boosters probably want to make a move before Joe Sumrall at Tulane gets scooped up.

Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee: He lost at Vandy and he’s losing at MTSU. Why he hasn’t been fired yet is the $60,000 question.

Joe Moorhead, Akron: A surprise win over Buffalo might have bought him some time.

Endangered Species List

Bill O’Brien, Boston College: He won eight last year. He’s 1-7 this year. He probably gets another year, but he’s on borrowed time.

Dell McGee, Georgia State: The Panthers have allowed 38 or more points in six of their eight games. They don’t have a lot of money so he might survive.

Dave Aranda, Baylor: He’s supposed to be a defensive guru, so why is his team giving up 32.6 points per game? The Bears are 4-4. He has to win. Two of the last four or he’s probably a goner.