The University of Florida’s football program turned the page on the Dan Mullen era last Sunday when it announced that Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Billy Napier will be the 29th head coach (including interims) on the Swamp’s sidelines. While the former resurrected the Gators back from the dead when he took over for Jim McElwain — compiling the best-ever record to start his UF coaching career — Mullen’s stock came crashing down this season after an extremely disappointing performance in the second half.
The Gators’ newest head coach has mountainous expectations ahead of him and his upcoming tenure in Gainesville represents the biggest challenge of his coaching career. Many hope that Napier has the chops to turn around Florida’s floundering recruiting efforts as well as instill a long-term culture like that at other successful schools.
The staff here at Gators Wire submitted their grades for the hiring as well as an explanation for why in a midweek roundtable that we present to you below. Read all the way to the bottom for our composite grade and assessment.