Apparently, things are looking up for Florida and Kiffin (TLDR)

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“Based on what I'm aware of, everything is trending in a positive direction for UF and it doesn’t feel like guesswork or message board noise. The alignment, timing, and modeling are all moving in sync, and everyone involved seems to be acting like this is a structured process rather than a reaction to what’s happening on the field. The numbers being floated are in the right neighborhood, and the overall feel behind the scenes is that things are progressing along a planned timeline rather than being built on the fly.

The key point is that the top target remains aligned. The communication through intermediaries has been steady and productive, and there’s clear understanding on both sides about expectations, control metrics, and financial structure. From what I gather, this isn’t about haggling over money anymore, instead it’s about sequencing and fit. The framework has already been discussed conceptually; it’s now about when it’s executable and how to layer in the staffing, NIL, and operational components so that the transition is seamless once it’s legal to move.

Also adding that UF won't get caught with its pants down as they've also kicked the tires on one of Trace's guys (through Turnkey). However, that’s a contingency lane, not a competing push.

Every serious athletic department runs multiple tracks so they’re not left exposed on timing or leverage. It’s basic portfolio risk management, not a signal that Plan A is faltering. You never go into a major transaction without a secondary option warming quietly in the background, and this process is no different.

LSU entering the picture adds a small variable, but it’s manageable. They are under a directive from way above to go short-term, high-AAV this cycle, which limits total exposure but also caps security for any incoming coach. That approach fits their internal politics, but it doesn’t align with what our guy values most, which is autonomy and stability. Florida’s structure, as I understand it, leans longer-term with stronger guarantees and cleaner control language, and that tends to appeal more to someone who’s already proven he can win without micromanagement.

Ole Miss can keep posturing publicly, but the hard ceiling there is real. They’ve reached the upper limit of what they can support on a sustainable basis. The numbers being talked about (roughly in the $13–13.5M range with the usual backend escalators and pools) are accurate as far as Florida’s comfort zone goes. Once you layer in retention triggers, deferred comp, and assistant salary scaling, that’s a full, competitive package that’s already been modeled internally.

From an industry standpoint, this entire thing has the feel of a controlled acquisition, not a panic search. There’s real structure, real timing discipline, and none of the chaos that usually leaks out when schools get desperate. It feels like the decision makers know what they want and are being deliberate about how to get there.

So yeah, I think people will end up pleasantly surprised because the energy behind the scenes feels steady and confident. The people involved are speaking the same language, the financial mechanics are already mapped out, and the timing is being handled carefully. LSU complicates things a little, but not in a way that changes the math.

I’m being intentionally vague here because of a specific obligation I am now under, but I’ll just say that the confidence from the people I trust is high. This doesn’t feel like guesswork, it feels like execution.”

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