The Florida Gators are not off to a great start in the 2024 college football season. As a result, it seems that Billy Napier’s days as head coach in Gainesville are numbered. On the other hand, it might take some time for Florida to move on from Napier, especially with limited options this early in the seas
Previously, Florida fans clamored for Urban Meyer to return to Gainesville, although Meyer himself shut down those talks with an emphatic statement: “That ship has sailed,” Meyer stated. Another option that has bounced around is Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, although it remains to be whether or not the Florida job is better than the current one.
On Friday, Matt Zenitz and John Talty of CBS Sports revealed two new options alongside Kiffin.
The names getting the most industry talk with a potential Florida opening are Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Penn State’s James Franklin,” Zenitz wrote
Scott Stricklin, the Florida Athletic Director, has a big hire to make if he decides to move on from Napier. However, as Zenitz mentions, all three of those coaches will likely be in the College Football Playoff conversation.
In that case, it makes even more sense for Florida to wait and not rush the process, as one Power Four AD told Zenitz. “I think you’ve got to take your time to get the right person,” a Power Four AD said. “I don’t think you go to plan B or C just because somebody’s in the playoff. I think you’ve got to just take your time and do it right. It’s too important.” Back in 2021, USC fired Clay Helton in September and named Donte Williams as the interim while doing due diligence on several options. It ended up with the Trojans hiring Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, but only because he lost the Bedlam game against Oklahoma State and lost all consideration for a top-tier bowl game.
