Billy Napier is 15-18 in Gainesville since taking over before the 2022 season, and the Florida Gators are presently 4-4 after losing to the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 10 of the 2024 college football season.
After his team started the season 1-2 with a lopsided loss to Miami and a double-digit loss to Texas A&M, Napier was under pressure to make a change, and calls for a change intensified.
After defeating Mississippi State and UCF and then falling to Tennessee in overtime, his seat became a little more relaxed. A victory over Kentucky was helpful, and Saturday’s fierce battle versus Georgia garnered some admiration.
A 4-4 record is disappointing, especially for a program used to competing for national championships. ESPN’s Pete Thamel indicated before last week’s game that the “expectation” is for Florida to make a change, suggesting that Billy Napier’s time in Gainesville might be nearing its end.
“There’s still an expectation of change in Gainesville, though Napier has a chance to finish strong and alter that perception,” Thamel said. However, Thamel also pointed out that Napier’s buyout exceeds $26 million—the second-highest in the sport’s history—so making such a move would be costly. If Florida were to part ways with Napier, who would they choose as his replacement?
Franklin is now 1-10 against Ohio State and 1-9 against the top five opponents since entering Penn State. As head coach of the Nittany Lions, he is 95-40 and aiming for his sixth season with 10 wins. With a 7-1 record and a No. 6 ranking in the AP Top 25, Penn State is well-positioned to contend in the College Football Playoffs. The Nittany Lions coach might, however, choose to leave if Penn State exits the CFP early or doesn’t create much of an impression. Since Frankin’s buyout exceeds $56 million, it is unlikely that Penn State will fire him.
James Franklin could be a name to watch if Florida does decide to part ways with Napier. “The timing of Florida’s coaching search could be complicated by the College Football Playoff,” noted Pete Thamel. Lane Kiffin still has a shot to take Ole Miss to the playoffs, Franklin has Penn State in the mix, and other candidates like Chris Klieman at Kansas State and Matt Campbell at Iowa State are also being considered.
Penn State supporters are not pleased with Franklin’s winning record. Georgia’s predicament with Mark Richt ten years ago is comparable. Even though the Bulldogs were winning ten games almost annually, it was still insufficient. However, Franklin can decide he wants to return to the SEC without Penn State firing him. Franklin might seize the chance for something different if that Florida position opens up and the Gators do call.
