Report: Florida already has a first choice to replace Jeremy Foley

Jeremy Foley announced his retirement in June after 25 years in Gainesville.

Florida reportedly has its top candidate to be its next athletic director, according to a new report. Scout.com reported on Tuesday that current Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne is the "first choice" to replace longtime AD Jeremy Foley, who announced he would be retiring after a 25-year career in Gainesville, Fla. Here's an excerpt from Scout writer Franz Beard's report.

"There are enough sources from various places including some out in Tucson who say Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne is indeed the first choice." Franz writes. "Everybody I have talked to says Byrne would be the perfect fit at Florida because he's got a great eye for coaching talent and understands that it's the AD's job to give coaches what they need to succeed."

Byrne hired Rich Rodriguez as the Wildcats head football coach in 2011, and the basketball program, led by Sean Miller has made Elite Eight three times since the 2010-11 season. Money will definitely be a factor here. According to SB Nation's Arizona Desert Storm, Byrne's current net income to $750,000 in 2019-2020. Foley made $1.23 million in 2013, which are the latest numbers on file.

We will continue to update this story as it develops.