Gator Bait: Billy Napier’s Seat Is Scorching

A Crimson Stain

For every coordinator that Saban turned into a quality head coach at Alabama, there was always one or two that fell flat. There’s no denying that having some sort of experience under the godfather of the SEC was an instant resume-booster, and gave many coaches the benefit of the doubt in their coaching journey. When fans questioned how well Napier would fit in the SEC, many pointed to his not one, but two stints with Alabama. Many, however, were incorrect in the assumption of his role both times. Several claimed he was Saban’s former OC.

He wasn’t. He was an offensive analyst at Bama after getting fired as OC at Clemson, then returned years later to coach the likes of Calvin Ridley and Jerry Juedy.

From there, he eventually became an OC again at Arizona State in 2017. When doomed Sun Devils coach Todd Grantham was fired at the conclusion of that season, his replacement, Herm Edwards, offered Napier the chance to stay on, but he chose to coach the Rajun Cajuns at the Louisiana-Lafayette. After compiling a 40-12 overall record, and winning the Sun Belt twice, the next great Saban disciple was off to make the Gators a national contender, like the days of Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer.

Or so we thought. Turns out, the Sun Belt and the SEC aren’t the same conferences.

Who knew?

Lagging to Lagway

I’m sure Napier is a fine man, but the traits that made him a respectable force to be reckoned with at Louisiana-Lafayette just hasn’t translated well to life in the SEC. The offense has looked morbid against SEC competition, and while the recruiting has climbed its way into the top 10 in national rankings on average, the development has been lacking. Against Florida’s main SEC rivals Tennessee and Georgia, Napier is 1-5.

With the Vols going through a resurgence in national relevancy, and Georgia being, well, Georgia, the lack of a competitive edge within the conference is alarming. The one player that seemed to turn it on for the Gators? Former five-star QB DJ Lagway, who took over against a top-15 Volunteer squad when Graham Mertz went down.

His numbers won’t pop off the charts, only throwing for around 1,200 yards, but his dual-threat ability and accuracy, paired with the confidence of a senior, almost gave the Gators the upset in Knoxville, Tenn. last season.

It is true that the Gators have two signature wins under Napier last year, thanks to an impressive effort from Lagway. Ole Miss and LSU watched their College Football Playoff hopes go up in smoke at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Whether it was a lucky win or a desperation effort, you can ask Gus Malzahn and Jimbo Fisher and they’ll tell you those don’t last long in the conference.

Now, Lagway’s Heisman Trophy campaign has collapsed against after the then-No. 13 Gators (1-1) were upset by the Bulls. The fans are fed up, and Florida is about to enter a schedule with eight opponents in the top 25, with more questions than answers.

Dead Man Walking

If Florida somehow makes it through this year at another 7-5 record, then there has been a miracle.

But there won’t be one for Napier. My gut says that if the Gators make it to the Birmingham Bowl after being dealt the schedule from hell, the boosters will be forced to pull the trigger before the gap between Florida and the rest of the conference widens.

Florida hasn’t had stability at the head coach position since Meyer left for Columbus, Ohio. From Will Muschamp to Jim McElwain to Dan Mullen, no coach has made it to year five. I can understand the Gators need for longevity at the position, but they should have thought of that before they fired Mullen, who had the Gators looking as close to themselves from 2008 as Meyer did.

With both No. 5 Miami (2-0) and No. 14 Florida State (2-0) eyeing the playoff after getting signature top-10 victories over Notre Dame (0-1) and Alabama (1-1) in week one, and now USF enjoying their second signature victory over two top-25 teams, the Gators are the fourth-best team in the state and might not even beat a rejuvenated UCF program. Not the standard in Gainesville, Fla.

Lagway will be back next year, with a less brutal schedule.

Napier’s odds to be there with him just took a massive dip. If the clock was ticking last year, then time has run out.