Shockwave in Gainesville. It wouldn’t be surprising if Florida parts ways with coach Billy Napier within the first month of the season, considering the recent trend of early firings in college football.
In 2022, five coaches were fired within the first five weeks: Scott Frost (Nebraska), Herm Edwards (Arizona State), Geoff Collins (Georgia Tech), Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), and Karl Dorrell (Colorado). Similarly, Clay Helton was let go by USC after just two games in 2021. Despite the differences in their situations, these coaches all faced dwindling support from boosters, frustrated fans, and reluctant administrators, leaving their programs with little choice but to make a change.
Napier may be reaching a similar breaking point. Saturday’s home game against lower-division Samford (0-1) could highlight just how disgruntled Gators fans are with the former Louisiana-Lafayette coach. Napier’s 11-15 record over two-plus seasons, including six straight losses and 11 defeats in his last 14 games against power-conference opponents, signals a program in decline. Florida’s 41-17 season-opening loss to then-No. 19 Miami at home last week only added to the frustration.
The Gators committed critical penalties, such as two roughing-the-passer calls that led to touchdowns, and exhibited poor game management, including needing a timeout after a media break. Offensively, they failed to generate big plays, going 1-for-9 on third downs and managing just 261 total yards, 71 of which came on Montrell Johnson’s late first-half TD run. Meanwhile, Florida’s defense allowed 529 yards – the sixth time an opponent has surpassed 500 yards under Napier’s watch.
Despite these struggles, Napier remains optimistic. “We can flip the script and move on,” he said. “Whether you face success or failure, you have to maintain the right mindset and approach.”
However, the noise in Gainesville is growing louder, especially considering Florida would owe Napier over $25 million if fired this season. With the toughest schedule in the school’s history ahead, even a win against Samford might not quiet the restless fanbase.
“It’s part of the challenge,” Napier said. “Criticism comes with the territory, just like when the New York Giants get beaten soundly. We still have a lot of football to play, and hopefully, we can turn things around.”
Quick firings are becoming more common, as seen in the early dismissals of several coaches in recent seasons. Frost, Edwards, Collins, Chryst, and Dorrell all found themselves out of a job before reaching the midpoint of the season. Napier, already on the hot seat, could face a similar fate, though Florida has historically waited longer before pulling the trigger on previous coaches, including Ron Zook, Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain, and Dan Mullen.
But with the rapidly changing landscape of college football, where boosters and financial backers wield more influence than ever, the pressure to make a move sooner rather than later may be stronger than before.
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