The Florida football program is going through some tough times that have not been seen in Gainesville for nearly 80 years and much of the blame has fallen on the shoulders of current head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag].
Never mind the fact that his predecessor left him a nearly-bare cupboard while the team has faced some of the toughest schedules in the country during the doldrums. Nonetheless, the buck stops at the top and all accountability ultimately falls on Napier’s shoulders.
It should come as no surprise, then, that CBS Sports writer Will Backus ranked the Gators HC in the bottom quarter of the Southeastern Conference, coming in at No. 13.
What CBS Sports says about Billy Napier
“The Gators are 11-14 with six total SEC wins in two years under Napier. That includes a decrease in wins between the first and second years,” Backus begins.
“Florida was still making mistakes in Year 2 that you’d only expect from a team in its first few games under a new coach. Though the Gators could be a lot better in 2024, an absolutely brutal schedule may mean no actual improvement to the record.”
The Gators skipper is ranked 47th overall heading into 2024. Last year Napier was ranked 11th among his SEC peers, but the additions of the Texas Longhorns (3rd) and Oklahoma Sooners 11th) pushed him down two spots.
Top 10 SEC coaches
Backus’ rankings are led by the Georgia Bulldogs‘ Kirby Smart, followed by Brian Kelly of the LSU Tigers and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian. Kalen DeBoer (Alabama Crimson Tide) takes fourth place while Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss Rebels) wraps up the top five.
The remainder of the top 10 consists of Mark Stoops (Kentucky Wildcats), Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri Tigers), Josh Heupel (Tennessee Volunteers) Mike Elko (Texas A&M Aggies) and Hugh Freeze (Auburn Tigers), respectively.
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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