Jon Gruden gets linked to Florida head coach job

Dec 22, 2019; Carson, California, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden reacts before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Florida made the decision to fire head football coach Billy Napier on Sunday, and it was not long before the Jon Gruden speculation began.

Napier was fired by Florida a day after the team’s 23-21 win over Mississippi State. The Gators are headed into their bye week, which is likely the reason for the timing of the move.

Gruden currently works for Barstool Sports. The former Super Bowl champion has not coached since he resigned from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 following a leaked email scandal. Gruden has said he wants to coach again, and many people are hoping he lands at Florida.

After news surfaced on Sunday that Napier had been fired, fans began urging the Gators to pursue Gruden.

This is my pick for the Florida Gators next head football coach. We’ll see if they give Jon Gruden a call. Atleast they need to send Chucky a Swag bag box to open. @BarstoolGruden pic.twitter.com/WF8h7GViHn
— Kevin ODonnell (@KevODonnellFLA) October 19, 2025

Florida needs Jon Gruden.
America needs Jon Gruden at Florida.
— Steven (@StevenFloridian) October 19, 2025

Jon Gruden to Florida. https://t.co/xVPK2iEp8T
— Jarrett Guarantano (@JayGuarantano) October 19, 2025

I don’t know about you but if I’m the Florida AD I’m going after Jon Gruden@BarstoolGruden would be electric in the Swamp!
— Jonathan (@jalmeida12) October 19, 2025

Names that make sense to me: Lane, Golesh, James Franklin, & Clark Lea. Wild card given the long time in Florida — Gruden. Challenge is going to be anyone who makes playoff is going to be hard to hire from a timing perspective. Gators may also be competing with FSU soon too.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 19, 2025

Gruden visited the Georgia Bulldogs over the summer and openly spoke about how much much he would love to coach in the SEC. The question is whether a school like Florida would be willing to take a chance on the 62-year-old, who has not coached at any level in four years and has no college experience other than a few assistant roles in the 1980s.

Gruden is suing the NFL, which might give college programs pause. If Florida is looking to generate buzz, however, there may be no better candidate.

Napier went 22-23 in three-plus years with Florida. The Gators have not had a season with double-digit wins since 2019.