5. James Franklin, Penn State head coach
James Franklin has been linked to every other coaching job out there. Why not Florida?
The Penn State head coach has spent time in the SEC before at Vanderbilt. There he worked miracles despite being at the hardest place to win in the conference.
He's taken a step forward with the Nittany Lions but the Gators could give him an even more fertile recruiting ground with the resources to boot.
4. Luke Fickell, Cincinnati head coach
There isn't a hotter name on the coaching carousel than Luke Fickell. He's led Cincinnati to the No. 3 ranking this season but it no one-season wonder. This campaign has been coming with 11-win seasons in 2018 and 2019 before posting a 9-1 record in 2020.
Fickell has developed lower-end recruits into lean, mean fighting machines.
He's on the radar for just about every opening but getting him to leave the state of Ohio for Florida would be tricky.
3. Joe Brady, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator
Joe Brady engineered one of the most high-powered offenses in college football history when he was the passing game coordinator for LSU in 2019. Now he's the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers and rehabilitating Sam Darnold's pro career.
Even though he's quite young, it might be time for Brady to take the next step into a head coaching opportunity. Someone is going to give him that chance sooner than later.
He was born and raised in Florida, so the Gators could pitch to bring him home.
2. Mark Stoops, Kentucky head coach
No one has done more with less than Mark Stoops at Kentucky. Working in the shadow of their illustrious basketball program, Stoops has spent the last decade pulling the Wildcats out of the SEC basement.
In 2018 they won 10 games and they've started the 2021 season on a 6-0 run. What he's done with Kentucky has been impressive. He's earned a promotion.
He's also familiar with the state of Florida and its recruiting footprint. He was previously a DBs coach at South Florida and Miami before serving as a defensive coordinator at Florida State.
1. Jamey Chadwell, Coastal Carolina head coach
You probably didn't know what Coastal Carolina was a few years ago. The fact that you know now is down to Jamey Chadwell.
The Chanticleers head coach has successfully transitioned the program into the FBS, winning the Sun Belt in 2020 while picking up Coach of the Year honors. They've opened 2021 at 6-0 as well.
Chadwell has an eye for offense and has won in multiple places as a head coach.
The only thing he lacks is major college football experience. Florida would be taking a chance on him, but it could pay off big time.