Like it or not, the 2025 Florida Gators are a mess. Three straight losses to LSU, USF, and Miami have left many Gator fans calling for Billy Napier’s job. Despite pushback from Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, who has confirmed his confidence in Napier, it is clear that the Florida football program is in need of change. If they pursue an head coach this offseason, here are some names to watch.
1. Dan Mullen
Mullen was the head coach at UF just three years ago, where he went 34-15 as the man in charge. Mullen led the Gators to the SEC championship game in 2020 and led an offense that put up 46 points against the eventual National Champions. The knock on Mullen was always his “inability” to recruit, but after a 2025 cycle full of deccomitments, the current state of UF recruiting is not much improved. Mullen, who is currently the coach at UNLV, has the Rebels starting strong at 4-0. If given the offer, Mullen would run it back for part two as the man in charge in Gainesville. The grass was not greener for the Gator, and they have the opportunity to make up for the mistake that was firing Mullen
2. Rhett Lashlee
As the man in charge of SMU, Lashlee brought the Mustangs all the way back from the death penalty to make the CFP last season. After a rough 2-2 start in 2025 for SMU, Lashlee’s time on the hilltop could be up, and he could be a top candidate to return to the state of Florida, where he has experience, as he used to be the Offensive Coordinator at Miami. Lashlee’s winning ways and proven ability to rebuild a program leave him as an intriguing HC candidate for a Florida team with quadruple the resources of SMU.
3. Jon Gruden
A football junkie and one of the sport’s most renowned voices, Gruden fits the mindset necessary to succeed in the SEC perfectly. Gruden is intense, smart, and itching to make a return to coaching. Gruden would be a great hire in Gainesville and could bring life to a program that currently seems lifeless during an abysmal 1-3 start to the 2025 campaign.
4. Brian Hartline
After being given play-calling duties for the first time in 2025, luring Hartline away from his alma mater, Ohio State, where he has been the mastermind behind a long line of first-round receivers as the Buckeye’s WR coach for the last few years, will be difficult. However, the opportunity to be the man in charge of an SEC team with the history of Florida is simply too good of an opportunity to turn down. UF needs to consider opening up its checkbook and pursuing Hartline, who could potentially bring Florida natives Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate with him to Gainesville, surrounding DJ Lagway with one of the best receiving cores in the country. Hartline is a long shot, but could revitalize this UF program.
5. Alex Golesh
Golesh has been the HC at USF for two years, where under his reign, the Bulls defeated the Gators just weeks ago. As the saying goes, if you can’t beat ’em, hire ’em.
Golesh has experience with the region, and his potential as a HC for a program with the resources of UF is close to unmatched. I expect Golesh to emerge as a hot commodity in the coaching carousel this offseason, and UF is a perfect fit for both sides. If I were Scott Stricklin, Golesh would be one of my first calls if Napier is indeed fired this offseason, as many predict him to be.