The current decade has not been kind to Florida football which has seen three straight losing seasons — two of which came under the tutelage of head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag], who took over a troubled program after the departure of [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag].
The program has dealt with all sorts of problems on and off the field, unable to get over the hump as the Gators often prove to be their own worst enemy. As the leader of the team, the buck stops with Napier and time is running out to turn things around.
CBS Sports senior writer Dennis Dodd published his 2024 hot seat rankings, which inevitably included Florida’s HC but not in the hottest spot. That designation belongs solely to Arkansas Razorbacks skipper Sam Pittman, who is in the “win or be fired” category and a 5 on the 1-to-5 scale.
Napier is in the next tier entitled, “Start improving now,” which is 4 on the 1-to-5 scale.
Breaking down Billy Napier’s hot seat
“It just hasn’t worked for Napier to this point,” Dodd laments. “The Gators went 6-7 in 2022 with [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag], the No. 4 overall pick, at QB. After a 5–7 season in 2023, the grumbling grew louder.”
What seemed like a good fit between Napier and the Gators has devolved into desperation over the past two seasons.
“Napier appeared to be exactly what Florida needed when he joined from Louisiana in 2022, but he’s walking a tightrope now. The Gators’ schedule — the nation’s toughest in 2024 and one of the most difficult of all time — offers a rough road with 11 Power Four opponents (eight likely ranked). And they’ll have to play an almost identical slate in 2025.”
The Gator Nation can expect their head coach to give his all this season, but it just might not be enough.
“A top-five transfer class should help, but Napier has to win now. He starts the season on a five-game losing streak. If he doesn’t turn it around, AD [autotag]Scott Stricklin[/autotag] may not get to make the next hire.”
In Dodd’s 2023 edition of his hot seat rankings, Napier was in category 2 entitled, “All good… for now.”
Florida’s 2024 season opener
The Florida and the Miami Hurricanes open their schedule on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida. Kickoff time is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ABC Sports.
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