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Paul Finebaum Reveals What Could Save One Major SEC Coach's Job in 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 6:00 PM ET

While the 2024 season may have ended positively for some college football coaches, it doesn't mean they are completely off the hot seat.

These coaches will need another solid season to prove that last year was not just a fluke and that they are the right choice for the future. One such coach is Billy Napier, the head coach of the Florida Gators.

Napier started his tenure with two losing seasons, which put him under significant pressure heading into last year. The Gators began the season 4-5, and the pressure only intensified. However, Napier managed to turn things around, leading the team to finish with a four-game winning streak and an overall record of 8-5. This marked the Gators' first eight-win season since 2020.

On "The Paul Finebaum Show," SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum discussed how many wins Napier will need this coming season to secure his position and escape the hot seat.

"I think Napier is going to be if they fail to live up to expectations," Finebaum said. "If he can win eight or nine games, I think he's going to be okay. I think last year was the more pressure-packed season. "

If the Gators decide to fire Napier after this season, they would owe him approximately $27 million. "The Athletic" agrees with Finebaum that Napier's job isn't secure, ranking him as the second coach with the hottest seat in the SEC, just behind Sam Pittman of the Arkansas Razorbacks, despite finishing last year on a high note.

Keeping his job won't be easy for Napier. According to ESPN, the Gators face the second-toughest schedule in the nation. ESPN's analytics expert, Bill Connelly, indicated that Florida needs to perform at a top-five level just to achieve a 9-3 record next season, given the challenging nature of its schedule.

Some notable games on its schedule include away games against the Miami Hurricanes, LSU Tigers, Texas A&M Aggies, Georgia Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels. Additionally, the Gators will host big games against the Texas Longhorns and the Tennessee Volunteers.

While reaching eight or nine wins, as Finebaum mentioned, will be a daunting task, Napier does have one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the country, DJ Lagway. The former five-star prospect threw for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns last season after taking over as the starter when Graham Mertz was injured. Lagway led the team during a four-game winning streak.

The Gators will open the season against Long Island at 7:00 p.m. ET on Aug. 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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