It looks like the Florida Gators could end their coaching search sooner than expected.
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According to Florida insider Darren Heitner, there is reportedly mutual interest between former Oregon and NFL head coach Chip Kelly and UF athletic director Scott Stricklin.
Kelly isn't expected to stay on the coaching market long, which fits perfectly with Stricklin's preference to hire a coach quickly.
However, former Florida coach and current ambassador Steve Spurrier reportedly prefers UCF's Scott Frost for the coaching vacancy, which would alter the AD's plan since Frost will be obligated to stay with the Knights until December, according to Heitner.
Florida update:
Stricklin wants to move quick.
Chip won’t last long on the market.
Stricklin is good with Chip.
Chip is good with UF.
Spurrier wants Frost.
Frost not looking at opps til Dec.Big moment for Stricklin here.
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) November 15, 2017
While Spurrier still remains a powerful figure in the UF athletic department, Stricklin will ultimately get the final say in the coaching hire, as noted by SEC Network's Paul Finebaum.
I'm going to tell you right now Scott Stricklin is going to win that battle. Spurrier is important but he's not the AD. https://t.co/1PFhS6Zd8E
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) November 15, 2017
Following the report, Spurrier tweeted that he wouldn't provide a recommendation for the job and would support Stricklin's decision "100 percent."
I am not recommending anyone for the job. We all have complete confidence that Scott Stricklin will make the best choice for our school - and we will support his decision 100 percent. https://t.co/GREyvfIfFW
— Coach Steve Spurrier (@SteveSpurrierUF) November 15, 2017
Stricklin was hired to replace former athletic director Jeremy Foley last year after a long tenure at his alma matter Mississippi State. This will be his first football coaching hire since accepting the AD position in November 2016.
Kelly led Oregon to a 46-7 (33-3 Pac-12) overall record from 2009-2012, which included four BCS bowl game appearances, three Pac-12 conference championships and a BCS title game appearance in 2010.
While his NFL coaching career left much to be desired, there's no denying that Kelly was one of college football's best coaches while at Oregon. The Ducks were consistently a national contender, made the inaugural College Football Playoff and quarterback Marcus Mariota became the school's first Heisman Trophy winner during his tenure.
"I don't know how to characterize him other than it's unbelievable," Finebaum said. "What he did at Oregon was spectacular."
And Florida fans are surely hoping that he can do something similar for them if he heads to the southeast and recruits in that hot bed of talent.
