Florida Gators long national nightmare with head coach Billy Napier could soon be over

The Florida Gators are in a difficult spot when it comes to head coach Billy Napier.

While Napier has done a great job in rebuilding the infrastructure of the program and his players continue to believe in him and play hard. Unfortunately, the results haven't come yet. The Gators are 21-23 under Napier, including an 0-14 record on the road against top 10 teams. That just isn't going to fly in Gainesville. Heck, Jim McElwain got fired in his third season with a 22-12 record less than a decade ago.

Billy Napier could be fired this weekend

The one thing that the majority of the fanbase has been wanting for some time is for Napier to be relieved of his duties as the head coach. That could end up happening, as USA Today's Matt Hayes reported that athletic director Scott Stricklin met with some influential boosters and was told by them that financial support depends on a "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," wrote Hayes.

"This, unlike other speculation about Napier's job status, is an important and direct connection to last year's near firing of Napier. It was then that the same Florida boosters were ready to pay Napier's large buyout, but were held off by Stricklin and convinced to use that money in NIL space to help Napier's buildout."

Last season, Napier was on the outs after starting 4-5, and was 0-2 at the beginning of the five-game brutal stretch that saw the Gators face five difficult challenges, including two major rivalry games in Florida State and Georgia. He didn't just right the ship; the Gators won the final four games, including the Gasparilla Bowl against Tulane, and Napier kept his job.

Things started out well for the Gators, as they beat Long Island 55-0. However, losing four of the next five hasn't worked out well.