The skies above Gainesville matched the feelings of Gator Nation on Saturday: Cold and gloomy.
Florida football entered coaching uncertainty on Friday, Nov. 28, as news broke that Lane Kiffin is not in contention for the UF coaching job. In the weeks after the firing of Billy Napier, Gators fans convinced themselves that the coveted Ole Miss coach was Alachua County bound.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNews from a few weeks ago seemed to confirm as much, but that all changed Friday. Now Kiffin’s decision is likely between staying at Ole Miss or heading west to Baton Rouge and LSU.
We spoke to some fans tailgating outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium before Saturday’s annual rivalry game with Florida State. Here’s what they said:
Apathy reigns supreme among Florida football fans
David Cowley has had season tickets in his family since Doug Dickey roamed the sidelines. He said he doesn’t care anymore.
“I’m just so over it. I honestly felt like he was toying with us from the beginning,” Cowley said.
The reason his emotion right now is apathy comes from frustration reaching its boiling point. Cowley emphasized his lack of faith in the program.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“The only reason I came back today is because we have friends here, or else I wouldn’t come back,” Cowley said. “It hurts. I’m okay with losing, but we’ve been so terrible for so long.”
Cowley’s confidence in Kiffin’s arrival was never high. He’s notoriously a volatile coach, and the season ticket holder expected Kiffin to either play to the crowd or was seeking a better contract.
“I would have been excited because he was going to be like a Spurrier. He had that kind of swagger,” Cowley said. “And at least we could say we got him and LSU didn’t.”
Now that isn’t the case despite reports that the money offered by the Gators and Tigers was similar. Inevitably, that leads to anger towards athletic director Scott Stricklin. Cowley has “never been a big fan” of Stricklin.
Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin stands on the sideline during the first quarter against the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images“I’m surprised he’s still here. I figured the new president would get rid of him,” he said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTodd Golden’s success in basketball helps Stricklin, but Cowley said he won’t be giving money to the athletic department unless winning begins again.
“I feel like I’ve overpaid for what I’ve received,” Cowley said.
Some Florida football fans never sold on Lane Kiffin
It’s a cliché, but Sarah Dutton bleeds Orange and Blue. Her family has held season tickets since tracking began in 1950.
She didn’t believe Kiffin was the messiah other fans did. In fact, she’s relieved the “soap opera” is over.
“It’s nice to know we don’t have to deal with the drama of the past month,” Dutton said. “Every year he has a good season, worrying about is he going to stay? Why is he non-committal? Is he here for us?”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementShe never bought in since Kiffin has never “won the big game.”
“We haver better facilities, better pockets. A lot of things Ole Miss doesn’t have,” Dutton said. “But does that translate to him winning the big games?”
Right around the Ole Miss game two weeks ago, Dutton grew tired of the noise. However, she isn’t a fan of any of the other coaching options.
Tulane coach Jon Sumrall, the “clear favorite” for the Gators coaching job? No different than “Sun Belt Billy.”
“It’s another guy trying to make it big in the SEC when he’s not proven,” Dutton said.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 07: Jon Sumrall Head Coach of the Tulane Green Wave in the second half of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on November 07, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew A. Smith/Getty Images)Furthermore, Dutton holds little confidence in Stricklin to make the right hire. His momentum build from the basketball national championship in April is fading quickly.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Everything going on with the football program and now baseball, I think confidence in Stricklin is falling off very quickly,” Dutton said. “This next hire is a do-or-die.”
Last week's game vs. Tennessee was the worse Cowley and Dutton can remember.
Cowley didn’t even make it to halftime of last week’s 31-11 loss to Tennessee. He went home and dreamt that Florida came back to slash the Volunteers.
This season doesn’t bother him as much as others since the team has struggled for years. Six wins vs. three wins isn’t much of a difference.
“When I was young, I remember Charley Pell and Doug Dickey and thinking ‘Oh my god, we’re terrible,’” Cowley said. “That’s where we’re at again.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDutton felt deflated by last week. Yes, the season was over, but Florida plays Tennessee hard.
“We always show up for each other,” Dutton said.
The parking areas outside The Swamp looked sparse on Saturday. Dutton couldn’t remember a Florida-Florida State game with a lower morale. The only thing to play for on either side is FSU’s bowl eligibility.
Saturday could be the final time QB DJ Lagway plays at home. The No. 1 QB in the Class of 2024 underwhelmed this season after entering the season with talks of being a Heisman contender.
Cowley doesn’t expect the Texas native to be back next season, and that saddens him. It didn’t have to be this way.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I think Billy Napier ruined Lagway. He’s an awesome kid. He’s got talent,” Cowley said. “He looks frustrated and lost. He’ll say he needs a change, and who knows? Maybe we all do.”
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football fans frustrated after Lane Kiffin pursuit fails
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