Sports Columnist

Mike Bianchi

Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi is one of the foremost sports voices in the Southeast. He covers many teams, including the Orlando Magic, Florida Gators, UCF Knights and Florida State Seminoles. Mike's favorite quote: "The job of a sports columnist is to observe the battle from the mountain top and then ride down and bayonet the wounded." He also hosts the "Open Mike" show weekday mornings from 6-9 a.m. on 96.9 FM The Game.

Alabama wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks (17) makes a touchdown catch at Oklahoma during the second half on Friday night. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

Mike Bianchi: The College Football Playoff has arrived, but the sport's soul is gone

December 20, 2025 at 2:57 p.m.

What we’re left with now is a sport that feels increasingly transactional, untethered from its own history and openly hostile to the idea of loyalty.

Gators' coaching legends Urban Meyer, left, and Steve Spurrier chat before Jon Sumrall is introduced as UF's next coach Monday in Gainesville.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Mike Bianchi: Gators are making the right call by welcoming Urban Meyer back into the family

December 18, 2025 at 1:19 a.m.

Urban Meyer’s legacy is a paradox – undeniable greatness intertwined with some uncomfortable controversy.

ishop Moore High School named their field after Joe Skinner shortly after he died of leukemia in 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Mike Bianchi: Ten years after his death, Bishop Moore baseball star Joe Skinner is still with us

December 13, 2025 at 4:09 p.m.

Former Bishop Moore High School and UCF baseball player Joe Skinner's legacy lives on through the SkinnerStrong Foundation.

UCF coach Scott Frost was pleased with the 13 high school recruits that the Knights signed as part of their 2026 recruiting class. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Mike Bianchi: Why Scott Frost's 'College football is broken' critique should be the sport's wake-up call

December 6, 2025 at 4:09 p.m.

Scott Frost: "Any sport where whoever has the richest boosters wins — that’s not a good model for a sport."

Jon Sumrall is introduced by athletic director Scott Stricklin as the new head coach of the University of Florida football team during a news conference on campus on Dec. 1. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Mike Bianchi: UF and FSU both whiff on Kiffin: Gators land UCF’s almost-hire, ‘Noles get stuck with Norvell

December 5, 2025 at 4:31 p.m.

FSU athletic director Michael Alford reportedly negotiated with Lane Kiffin even though head coach Mike Norvell was still employed.

New Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall, seen here on Saturday at a Tulane-Charlotte game, has taken both Troy and Tulane to four conference championships in four seasons as a head coach. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Mike Bianchi: Gators miss Lane Train, and now hope their new Jon Boat doesn't sink

November 30, 2025 at 8:43 p.m.

After the Lane Kiffin rejection, the Jon Sumrall era begins in Gainesville not with trumpets, but with therapy.

With a shot at becoming bowl-eligible with a victory Saturday evening in The Swamp, FSU coach Mike Norvell's team lost to a team that had beaten just 2 FBS teams this season. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Mike Bianchi: Gators blow out FSU, now try to convince themselves Tulane's Jon Sumrall would be a good hire

November 30, 2025 at 1:03 p.m.

Now Gator Nation turns its attention to moving on from the Lane Kiffin rejection and quietly Googling Tulane coach Jon Sumrall, who has emerged as the frontrunner for UF’s vacated...

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is the top target at UF and LSU while his current school pushes to keep him in Oxford. (Jason Clark/Getty Images)

Mike Bianchi: Lane Train doesn't stop in Gainesville; Gators left standing on the platform

November 29, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

Lane Kiffin wasn’t just a candidate; he was the swagger UF has lacked since Steve Spurrier’s cockiness and Urban Meyer’s arrogance.

Despite Saturday's win against lowly Oklahoma State, UCF coach Scott Frost knows his team has a long way to go. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)

Mike Bianchi: UCF escapes, Scott Frost exhales and reality sets in

November 23, 2025 at 4:08 a.m.

Knight Nation entered the year drunk on Scott Frost’s return, but this season certainly has sobered up the fans.

At their tailgating spot at The Grove, Ole Miss fans hoping to keep Florida for luring away Rebels coach Lane Kiffin told the Gators: 'Get Your Own Coach!' (Liana Handler/Special to the Sentinel)

Mike Bianchi: Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss contract is a sad blueprint for college football's broken system

November 22, 2025 at 3:37 p.m.

If Lane Kiffin walks out on his Ole Miss contract, he'll owe $4 million, but if Ole Miss fired him, he'd get close to $40 million.

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