As Florida’s days as a national power under Urban Meyer and Steve Spurrier continue to fade further into the distance with each passing mediocre season, the Gators reportedly could be looking to move on from head coach Billy Napier in the near future.
Pete Nakos of On 3 reported Sunday that sources told him the bye week following the upcoming contest against Mississippi State “looms large as the possible point where Florida moves on Napier.”
Florida fell to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in SEC play with Saturday’s loss to Texas A&M. It is not a realistic College Football Playoff threat and at this point is largely playing out the string on what is shaping up to be a lost season.
It should be noted the Gators are facing a brutal schedule and already have losses to LSU, Miami and Texas A&M with upcoming contests against Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Florida State.
Given that slate, it wouldn’t be surprising if they take a step back from last year’s 8-5 effort that ended with a Gasparilla Bowl victory.
That was Napier’s first bowl win with the SEC program after going 6-7 in his first season in 2022 and 5-7 in his second season in 2023. Overall, he has a 21-23 record as he continues in his fourth season at the helm.
It’s not a surefire thing that Florida will fire Napier, though, as Nakos pointed out.
“Despite all the rumors about Billy Napier’s future at Florida, his players continue to play hard for him,” Nakos wrote. “Athletic director Scott Stricklin has shown patience, not making a quick move on Napier after the USF loss.”
There would also be questions about who would serve in the interim role and call plays since Napier is the offensive play-caller for the team.
While much of the record can be blamed on the schedule, the reality is the Gators want to be among national title contenders instead of a team that will be fighting for a .500 record. It remains to be seen whether that will cost Napier his job, but there is plenty of speculation about his future halfway through the regular season.
