Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin didn't name any specific coaches he's interested in hiring to replace the fired Billy Napier, which is to be expected. But one of UF's former Hall of Fame coaches took it one step further and name dropped a handful of candidates.

Speaking to USA Today, former Gator great Steve Spurrier mentioned Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz as possible candidates. We'll assume it's a coincidence that, like Spurrier, they're both known for wearing visors, scoring points, and talking a little trash.

Kiffin has been the name most associated with the opening at UF, and Spurrier seems to think the hire makes sense.

"I firmly think he is a very good coach," Spurrier told USA Today. "There's no question about that. I like him."

In the very next breath, Spurrier brought up Drinkwitz, saying he likes the Missouri coach, too.

They both fit the Spurrier profile, which many UF fans are clamoring for. They also both fit the profile Stricklin laid out in his press conference on Monday following Napier's firing. 

Stricklin was direct in pointing out that only three active head coaches have won national championships: Dabo Swinney (Clemson), Kirby Smart (Georgia), and Ryan Day (Ohio State). The implication was that there are more coaches who are capable of reaching the top, and he aims to find one of them.

"My sense is we will have a wide variety of candidates," he said. "We want people who can win championships at the University of Florida. That's going to be our goal. We want somebody who can come in here, be a strong leader, and win championships. Like I said, there's probably people from a lot of different backgrounds that could have the potential to do that."

Of course, the potential to do it is different from actually realizing the goal. Napier is Exhibit A in that regard.

Spurrier provided a more specific thought process, when speaking to USA Today.

"I think we're going to try to hire a proven coach who's got a winning record in the SEC or another major conference," he said. "I think that's the type of coach we're looking for."

Now, Spurrier's role in the search is likely minimal, if even existent at all. But he is still listed as "Ambassador" in UF's staff directory, and despite his age, the Head Ball Coach remains sharp. His opinions carry at least a little sway, particularly given that it's his career so many around UF want to see replicated.

Seemingly, his first thought was that Florida would hire a coach from the SEC with a winning record. It's no wonder he first mentioned Kiffin and Drinkwitz. He also mentioned Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea, though he has a 22-34 record at Vandy, including a 6-28 SEC mark.

Spurrier's terms remove potential Group of 5 candidates like Alex Golesh at South Florida or Jon Sumrall at Tulane. Both of those fall relatively neatly into Stricklin's admittedly less specific wish list, but neither qualifies for the "major conference" pedigree Spurrier expects.

Kiffin and Drinkwitz, however, both fit into Stricklin's expressed ideals for a new coach. Each of them has taken mediocre SEC programs and brought them into College Football Playoff contention. Ergo, they're competing for SEC and National Championships, potentially fulfilling Stricklin's stated desire to hire someone "who can win championships." 

In the Venn diagram of Stricklin and Spurrier's vision board, the overlap continues to come up filled with visors. The near-consensus from national college football reporters is that UF will make Kiffin its primary target. Most prognosticators say UF should then go for Drinkwitz if Kiffin decides to stay in Oxford.

Either way, we know it will make Spurrier happy. And when HBC is happy, most Gator fans are, too.

For a more detailed list of candidates and how they could fit in at UF, check out our hot board of names Stricklin might be considering. With 10 coaches on the list, there are plenty who could be great hires despite not lining up perfectly with Spurrier's vision.

Stricklin said as much on Monday. He said that he alone will be leading the search, and that he has employed Turnkey RZG as a search consultant to help with the vetting process.

"This search is going to be thorough," Stricklin said. "It's going to be deliberate. Despite speculation about particular candidates or things that have already been done, we are early in this process, and it will be a very thorough process."

That thorough process may well lead to Kiffin. However, things rarely go as expected in coaching searches, especially in college football. Time will tell if Spurrier gets his wish.

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