The hottest coaching board right now is Florida, without a doubt. But contrary to other programs, the Gators’ job is the most wide-open option in the market. Billy Napier’s gig at the Swamp threw the program into a state of despair, and then into decay. Florida is looking for an HC who can build a program from the ground up. And looking at the favorites to land the job, it might not have to file through a lot of names. However, one unexpected name is starting to gain traction.

Lane Kiffin has become the de facto top candidate to replace fired HCs. Florida fans want him desperately, and he continues to remain the top favorite. But a certain group is also looking at Washington’s Jedd Fisch. Kalshi says he has a 25% probability of winning the job, second to Kiffin at 49% and followed by Eli Drinkwitz (23%) and James Franklin (15%).

The odds to be the next Florida Head Coach per @KalshiSports

Lane Kiffin 49%
Jedd Fisch 25%
Eli Drinkwitz 23%
James Franklin 15% pic.twitter.com/xq1qr8zKoh

— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) October 28, 2025

Fisch isn’t usually mentioned in the same breath as Kiffin or Drinkwitz when it comes to star power, but his ability to turn things around in his previous programs and familiarity with the Florida program have started to draw attention. Jedd Fisch worked for Steve Spurrier for two seasons. Fisch is now 12-9 at Washington, still holding ground this season at 6-2. His record isn’t that stellar compared to the other candidates, given the myriad of coaching jobs he’s had throughout his career, but the context matters. He’s taken on some of college football’s toughest rebuilds and delivered results.

If there’s one thing Fisch knows how to do, it’s repair broken programs. He inherited a struggling Arizona team and transformed it from a Pac-12 bottom-feeder into a 10-3 program by his third year. Now, in Washington, he’s doing the same. When Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama in 2024, Fisch walked into a hollowed-out roster and an uncertain recruiting landscape. Yet, he’s managed to stabilize the Huskies, even pulling in key recruits like Demond Williams to begin reshaping the roster.

That experience makes Fisch a compelling fit for Florida, considering the gambles it has already lost after Urban Meyer’s exit. Florida can make away with Fisch by paying Washington just $6 million, which will be his new buyout from January 2026. But like other coaches also featured on hot boards, he too isn’t interested in moving out.

Jedd Fisch is not keen on leaving Washington for anywhere else

Jedd Fisch was floated as a candidate for the UCLA job, considering he won his first game as interim HC here. But Jedd Fisch wasn’t on board. On October 27, WestCoastCFB shared on X that he was reportedly “not interested” in the job. Not long before that, he doubled down on his intentions about his future. “I’m not going to address any coaching changes or coaching rumors or anything to that effect,” he said passionately. “I’ve learned the most important thing we can do here is be where our feet are.”

Jedd Fisch tends to take some time to root himself at a program when he is HC, and then he produces some remarkable results. He is yet to make that happen at Washington, but is in the process of it. Fisch is signed through the 2030 season at Seattle and will earn $54 million by the end of it. UW knew that his tenure wouldn’t bring in success at the snap of a finger. But he is making progress, one that’s worth appreciating the coach for. He’s also doing it without ever having played football in high school or college.

Jedd Fisch signed the Washington contract with the intention of staying for some time. “I believe that he is happy there,” ESPN’s Heather Dinich said of the coach, picking him to replace Napier. “[But] if there was a destination job that he might consider, Florida would probably be it,” she added. A $6 million buyout is a pretty modest figure for any program that wants to target him. And the Gators are looking for someone who will produce impressive results, for a low-risk price. We’ll have to wait at least a few more months if UF gets Jedd Fisch to change his stance.