Member Contribution Billy Napier's path forward

[RTR2006]

They say a winning record is good enough. But the issue is they only say that in the ACC, Big10 and the PAC 12 (what was the pac12). In the SEC the bar is higher than that. At Florida, to them that bar is much higher than at other places. How much higher you ask? Well let's look at the past and then the present at Florida.

Let's start with Will Muschamp:

• 2011 7-6 - Won the Gator Bowl
• 2012 11-2 - Lost the Sugar bowl, Finished #10
• 2013 4-8 - No bowl
• 2014 7-5 - Won the Birmingham Bowl

Muschamp is fired after going 28-21

Jim McElwain comes in:

• 2015 10-4 - Lost the Citrus bowl, Finished #25
• 2016 9-4 - Won the Outback bowl, Finished #13
• 2017 4-7 - No bowl

McElwain is fired after going 22-12

Here comes Dan Mullen:

• 2018 10-3 - Won the Peach Bowl, Finished #6
• 2019 11-2 - Won the Orange Bowl, Finished #7
• 2020 8-4 - Lost the Cotton Bowl, Finished #12
• 2021 6-7 - Lost the Gasparilla Bowl

Mullen is fired after going 35-15

Let's stop here and recap:
Muschamp's winning % was - 57
McElwain's winning % was - 64
Mullen's winning % was - 70

Which brings us to present day and Billy Napier:

• 2022 6-7 - Lost the Las Vegas Bowl
• 2023 5-7 - No Bowl
• 2024 (current season) - 3-2

Napier's winning % is - 46

Conclusion:
Napier will, and must be fired after this season ... unless they somehow end up with a winning record, which at this point seems impossible. Losing more games than you are winning at a University like Florida won't work.

 

[HaleDMEWJLX]

I don't think they've given Billy enough time yet - he should have at least another 10 years to be able to get that winning percentage up to 50. I mean think - what could this program look like with Napier at the helm for another 10 years. (It's fun to imagine)

 

[RTR2006]

I don't think they've given Billy enough time yet - he should have at least another 10 years to be able to get that winning percentage up to 50. I mean think - what could this program look like with Napier at the helm for another 10 years. (It's fun to imagine)

You would say that lol!

 

[RTR2006]

Update: 3-3... but with Kentucky, Georgia, at Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State left, this one is coming down to the wire.

Let's assume 1 thing:
They beat Kentucky and Florida State

That's still a 5-7 season... and he gets the axe.

So which of the remaining teams could he possibly beat? Well, my money would be on Ole Miss... at home, desperate for a win.

If they lose to Kentucky this weekend, that's the end of the Napier era in Gainsville.

Let's see what happens.

 

[umrebelfan69]

Update: 3-3... but with Kentucky, Georgia, at Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State left, this one is coming down to the wire.

Let's assume 1 thing:
They beat Kentucky and Florida State

That's still a 5-7 season... and he gets the axe.

So which of the remaining teams could he possibly beat? Well, my money would be on Ole Miss... at home, desperate for a win.

If they lose to Kentucky this weekend, that's the end of the Napier era in Gainsville.

Let's see what happens.

What’s his buyout? It’s one thing for fans to scream fire him, but the people that are responsible for the bank balance, they don’t have that luxury.

Now we all know where there is a will, there is a way. They can get with big time boosters and get funds secured for the buyout, but still, if it’s astronomical, that may not be enough.

5-7 may save his job. And with as much as I love Ole Miss, we are just not going to be viewed as a tough out right now, so 6-6 is a possibility.

 

[RTR2006]

Internet says north of 20, somewhere around 26 million.

 

[aejones77]

As of today (Oct. 21) the Gators are 4-3 going into a bye week with the Dawgs on the horizon. I personally don’t believe Florida will beat Georgia… BUT, I’ve seen plenty of rivalry games that play out differently than expected. With 5 games remaining.. if Fla beats FSU (which they should.. but see previous comment on rivalry games) AND can win at least one more game against GA, TX, LSU, & OM… then I believe that will be enough for Billy to save his job.

Now keep in mind also that DJ Lagway made Billy’s offense look outstanding this past weekend against Kentucky’s 3rd rank defense. Though conservative at times, people shouldn’t be shocked about that b/c that’s how Billy’s called plays his whole career.. but they did put up 48 points on a team that was allowing only 19/game… so my point is that DJ Lagway just may be his savior. If Florida keeps winning, then this conversation is over and Billy will be back.

It’s also important to remember that the team (the players and staff) actually love this guy. Say what you want about him.. but that’s a fact. Also.. the team has shown steady growth and improvement.. which is really what you want. So my only other question about this whole fire Billy hysteria (and I get it.. I do) is who is out there, right now, that you’re so confident will bring Florida back to its powerhouse status. So confident you disregard the steady growth, the team cohesion, and pay a ridiculous buyout for? I just don’t see whoever that is.. so it’ll be another tear down.. another rebuild.. another “I hope this one works”.. another ridiculous contract.. etc. Which my pastor would call “the cul-de-sac of stupid.”

Just my two cents.

 

[RTR2006]

As of today (Oct. 21) the Gators are 4-3 going into a bye week with the Dawgs on the horizon. I personally don’t believe Florida will beat Georgia… BUT, I’ve seen plenty of rivalry games that play out differently than expected. With 5 games remaining.. if Fla beats FSU (which they should.. but see previous comment on rivalry games) AND can win at least one more game against GA, TX, LSU, & OM… then I believe that will be enough for Billy to save his job.

Now keep in mind also that DJ Lagway made Billy’s offense look outstanding this past weekend against Kentucky’s 3rd rank defense. Though conservative at times, people shouldn’t be shocked about that b/c that’s how Billy’s called plays his whole career.. but they did put up 48 points on a team that was allowing only 19/game… so my point is that DJ Lagway just may be his savior. If Florida keeps winning, then this conversation is over and Billy will be back.

It’s also important to remember that the team (the players and staff) actually love this guy. Say what you want about him.. but that’s a fact. Also.. the team has shown steady growth and improvement.. which is really what you want. So my only other question about this whole fire Billy hysteria (and I get it.. I do) is who is out there, right now, that you’re so confident will bring Florida back to its powerhouse status. So confident you disregard the steady growth, the team cohesion, and pay a ridiculous buyout for? I just don’t see whoever that is.. so it’ll be another tear down.. another rebuild.. another “I hope this one works”.. another ridiculous contract.. etc. Which my pastor would call “the cul-de-sac of stupid.”

Just my two cents.

Wow! What a welcome from @aejones77

First of all thank you for being here and joining the cafe, hope you stick around help us provide key perspectives from your fanbase (which I am assuming is Florida?)

Secondly, I think you're right DJ Lagway can play ball. He may just be the guy that Napier needs to save his job.

Question for you, if a bowl game enough to save him?

 

[aejones77]

Wow! What a welcome from @aejones77

First of all thank you for being here and joining the cafe, hope you stick around help us provide key perspectives from your fanbase (which I am assuming is Florida?)

Secondly, I think you're right DJ Lagway can play ball. He may just be the guy that Napier needs to save his job.

Question for you, if a bowl game enough to save him?

Yes, I believe so. For me it all goes back to “who” would we hire to replace him. In the past.. when we knew the inevitable firing was coming.. there was always someone that you know they were talking to offline. I know a lot of Gator fans are screaming Lane Kiffen.. but that’s just not the case here. First off.. No one even knows if he would even leave ole miss (I wouldn’t) and second.. is he a slam dunk if he would?

In my humble (realistic) opinion.. if Billy can secure 2 more victories, then he’ll be back in 2025. From there on.. who knows?

 

[umrebelfan69]

Yes, I believe so. For me it all goes back to “who” would we hire to replace him. In the past.. when we knew the inevitable firing was coming.. there was always someone that you know they were talking to offline. I know a lot of Gator fans are screaming Lane Kiffen.. but that’s just not the case here. First off.. No one even knows if he would even leave ole miss (I wouldn’t) and second.. is he a slam dunk if he would?

In my humble (realistic) opinion.. if Billy can secure 2 more victories, then he’ll be back in 2025. From there on.. who knows?

Great to have you @aejones77

Bring some of your buddies. We want to have each fanbase well represented here.

 

[RTR2006]

In my humble (realistic) opinion.. if Billy can secure 2 more victories, then he’ll be back in 2025. From there on.. who knows?

100% agree with this statement, just wondering if it goes south ... even with a bowl game, can he get through the offseason.

Florida is also in the 10 top for the 2026 recruiting class... so he's not exactly missing the mark off the field either.

10.​

Coming off the key signing of five-star quarterback D.J. Lagway this past cycle, the Gators don't currently have a passing prospect in their 2025 class but have struck early in the 2026 cycle by landing ESPN Junior 300 QB Will Griffin. A passer with a sturdy build and big hands, he has a strong arm and can drive the ball downfield and into tight windows. On defense, rangy cornerback prospect Jaelen Waters was a onetime commit to in-state rival Florida State.