The coaching carousel spins faster than a DJ at a tailgate, and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is at the center of the latest whirlwind. With their head coaching spot vacant after Tom Herman’s dismissal, FAU is on the hunt for its next leader. But this time, the spotlight isn’t just on resumes—it’s on some high-profile endorsements and a touch of star power. Some are new, like the Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, while some are not so latest, let’s say.

On The Audible, Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel shared an intriguing scoop. Lane Kiffin, the former FAU head coach who revitalized the program before moving on to Ole Miss, has reportedly been lobbying hard for his former assistant, Charlie Weis Jr., to take the reins. Weis, now the playcaller at Ole Miss, is just 31 but has garnered significant respect in coaching circles. “Lane has a lot of influence back at FAU,” the podcasting duo revealed. “He’s been pushing Weis for the job.” With Kiffin’s backing and his track record of identifying coaching talent, Weis appears to be the frontrunner. That’s the power of a current headliner. But what if we tell you there’s a former legend of the game in line too? Who would you prefer?

Weis isn’t the only candidate vying for the position. “The wild card in this is Ray Lewis, obviously a legendary Miami player who lives only five minutes away,” says Apple’s podcasters. Ray Lewis, the NFL Hall of Famer, was once a teammate of Deion Sanders on the Atlanta Falcons. According to sources close to Lewis, he’s been inspired by Deion’s transformational impact at Colorado and is ready to present a vision for FAU that mirrors Sanders’ success. “Ray wants this job,” Feldman added. Living just minutes from the university, Lewis has observed FAU closely and believes he can bring a similar revival. Look, the Hall of Famer linebacker could save a couple of bucks on fuel for the Atlantic Owls, at least.

The dynamics are fascinating. Lane Kiffin and Weis represent continuity and familiarity with FAU’s recent past, while Lewis brings a celebrity factor and the promise of bold change. Both candidates offer compelling narratives. But know this: Lewis hasn’t been a coach anywhere and certainly hasn’t been a college coach. And playing and coaching are two different sports. Tough decision? Probably. Meanwhile, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has his own set of tough decisions to make regarding his future.

Does Lane Kiffin moving to the NFL make any sense?

A wave of clickbait surely surrounds Lane Kiffin, thriving at Ole Miss. Wanting to carry the Rebels coach with it to the big league. This might be a natural progression, but he has no plans to return to the NFL—and he’s got a solid reason. Speaking on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Kiffin highlighted a unique gripe with the league: winning comes with a price. “I really enjoy where we’re at,” he said, adding, “In the NFL, when you win, you kind of get punished. You draft last.” For Kiffin, the college game offers fulfillment without the paradoxical penalties of pro-level.

And besides, Kiffin has already tasted NFL sweet before, serving as an assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000 and the head coach of the Raiders from 2007 to 2008. He won’t experience the kind of success he’s enjoying at Ole Miss. The Rebels are 8-2 and are coming off an upset win over Georgia. Which has kept Ole Miss’ Playoff hopes alive. After shutting down his exit plans, endorsing his friend and colleague isn’t a bad idea for Kiffin.