The Florida Gators' marriage with head coach Billy Napier is on the rocks (again), and this time they may actually pull the plug altogether on the momentum of the current regime.
Napier's name has been on the hot seat seemingly since the first season of his tenure with the Gators, entering season after season with expectations that -- no matter how unrealistic -- have failed to be met by reality. And again, this season, as the Gators opened the fall calendar with a Heisman hopeful in quarterback DJ Lagway and a top 15 ranking in the AP Poll, hopes were high that this season would be the year for Napier's Gators to finally break through and become competitive in the toughest conference in college football.
But the Gators opened the year with a 2-4 record, a home loss to South Florida, and appear to be the exact same football program they've always been under Napier. Last season was the lone winning season built on this coaching structure, finishing 8-5 in 2024, and every other Napier season has been a losing effort. By all indications, this year's efforts will likewise be futile, and Florida has seen enough.
Per USA Today, boosters have already met with Florida's athletic director to send an unmistakable message: Billy Napier has to go.
"Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin met with a handful of influential boosters Tuesday, and was told continuing financial support depends on new direction within the football program. [...]"
"The people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect the ongoing process, said embattled Florida coach Billy Napier could be fired as soon as this weekend. One thing is certain: Napier won't survive another loss."
For a head coach that's already seen four losses in his first six games, that feels like a clear way to say he'll be fired no matter what happens this weekend.
So what's next for Florida? It may be time to start counting the days before the 2026 season begins -- it may yet become even more drastically bad in Gainesville before the free fall flips to a climb.
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