College Football Betting – Who will Coach Florida Gators in 2011? When it was announced earlier this week that Florida head football coach Urban Meyer was stepping down, speculation has run rampant over the question; who will be the next Florida Gators football coach? Coaching changes are part of the college football landscape, but when a coach at one of the premier programs resigns, it becomes major news. And it doesn't take bookmakers long to take advantage of the buzz either, as betting odds begin to surface.
T
he first of those hit Friday when offshore sportsbook Bodog.com listed several hot coaching names and their betting odds of becoming the next Florida coach.
Bob Stoops, Oklahoma – Stoops is a 5-to-2 odds favorite to take the Florida job. If Stoops makes the switch, he will come at a high price. Stoops is set to make $4.9 million at Oklahoma in 2011 and with incentives, could become a six million dollar man.
The 2010-11 College Football Bowl season is almost here. Check out all the BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL lines here at Point-Spreads.com.
Kyle Wittingham, Utah – Wittingham succeeded Meyer as head football coach at Utah following the 2004 football season. In six years heading the Utes program, Wittingham has a 58-19 record, that includes a perfect 6-0 bowl mark. If Wittingham is offered Florida job, he will be sure to exceed his $1.2 million salary at Utah. Odds on Wittingham getting the Gators job are 7-to-2.
Chris Peterson, Boise State – Currently at 3-1 odds, Peterson is a name gaining some momentum in the Florida coaching chatter. It's rumored that Florida Director of Athletics Jeremy Foley has already met with Peterson about the job. Peterson has let it be known in the past he is happy at Boise State, but turning down a Florida offer could be difficult. Peterson makes slightly more than $1-million at Boise State.
Charlie Strong, Louisville – Strong recently finished a nine year stretch as Florida's defensive coordinator, then took over the Louisville job for the 2010 season. Strong had been a hot name in coaching searches for several years before landing the Louisville job, where he guided the Cardinals to a 6-6 season in his first year. At 9-to-2 odds, it's unlikely Strong leaves Louisville after one year, but he might get a nice pay raise to stay.
Dan Mullen, Mississippi State – From the minute Meyer announced his resignation, it was Mullen's name linked most to the Florida vacancy. After all, it was Mullen who two years ago had served as the Gators offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. It was Mullen who was largely responsible of the development of Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow. In two years, Mullen has turned around the Mississippi State program, and has them headed to play Michigan in the January 1, 2011 Gator Bowl. Mullen is drawing 5-to-1 odds at Bodog.com to become the next Florida coach.
Other names and odds on the Florida coaching board:
Gus Malzahn, offensive coordinator, Auburn – 9-to-1: Don't look for this to happen. Malzahn is a hot name for not for the Florida job. The Gators will not be hiring a coordinator. Vanderbilt is currently making a strong pitch to Malzahn for the Commodores opening.
Steve Spurrier, South Carolina – 15-to-1: It's doubtful Florida would come calling on the Old Ball Coach because of his age.
Gary Paterson, TCU – 15-to-1: Paterson is making good money at TCU, is moving his team to the BCS Big East, and has not shown any interest in any other job.
Jim Harbaugh, Stanford – 20-to-1: His next move will probably be to the NFL.
Dave Wannstedt, fired at Pitt – 25-to-1: How did his name get on this list? Forget about it.
Want to bet on Florida's coaching search? Find the best odds right here on our BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL LINES page.
