Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt believes Florida Gators coach Billy Napier's job is on the line after a Week 2 loss to South Florida. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Joel Klatt says major SEC head coach lost all his ‘goodwill’ after Week 2 collapse

Originally posted on CFB-HQ on SI | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 3:00 PM ET

The Swamp witnessed history in Week 2, and not the kind Florida fans wanted. The Gators lost to South Florida for the first time in program history, a stunning 18-16 defeat sealed by a 20-yard field goal in the final minutes.

Florida head coach Billy Napier left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with boos from the stands and criticism pouring in from fans and former players alike. The loss comes just one year after Napier salvaged hope with a late-season turnaround, only to see it unravel in a game that should have been routine.

Joel Klatt put it bluntly on his Monday podcast, saying Florida is “right back where they were at this point last year.” He noted that all the goodwill Napier built with quarterback DJ Lagway and a strong finish in 2024 is gone.

Discipline Breakdown And A Schedule That Gets Harder

Klatt pointed to a costly penalty as the defining moment, comparing it to past lapses under previous coaches. He said Florida was doomed by “some sort of ridiculously dumb personal foul” and mocked the moment as “spitgate or bull spit, whatever we’re calling this one.” That penalty extended South Florida’s winning drive and left Florida with another black mark under Napier.

The Gators’ schedule leaves little chance to regroup. Klatt warned that the early portion was supposed to be the easy stretch, but eight of the final 10 games are against ranked opponents.

Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Four of the next six are against top-10 teams: LSU, Miami, Texas, and Georgia. He added that with Texas A&M and Mississippi State also ahead, “there isn’t one” break for the Gators.

Klatt described the situation as maddening for the fan base, especially with Lagway giving the team a potential foundation at quarterback. “You’ve got this quarterback that they believe in and then you lose to South Florida,” he said. “That is a tough loss right there.”

South Florida’s Rise And Napier’s Increasing Pressure

Klatt also credited the opponent, saying South Florida’s second-year head coach Alex Golesh “has built something that is very, very salty.” He praised the Bulls for hammering Boise State the week before and then pulling off the upset in Gainesville. Klatt said they now have the profile of a potential Group of Six playoff team if they continue their surge.

The bigger story remains Napier. His tenure is now defined by an inability to avoid major letdowns against unranked opponents, with the South Florida loss adding to a list that already includes Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Texas A&M. Napier is now 20-20 at Florida, a record Klatt and others argue is not enough for a program that expects to compete for the SEC.

Former Florida players piled on during and after the game. La’Mical Perine criticized the offensive scheme. Jacob Copeland revisited his departure from the program after his conversations with Napier.

Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Jonathan Odom accused the coach of mishandling injuries and questioned his treatment of players. The loss amplified their words and gave the appearance of a locker room and fan base drifting further away from the coach.

Napier admitted the criticism is deserved, telling reporters, “We deserve it. If you play football like that, you’re going to be criticized. It comes with the territory.” He vowed to start fixing the issues immediately, but the reality is harsh. Florida faces LSU in Baton Rouge next, a road trip few see as a chance to breathe.

Napier entered the season with a chance to prove stability, but instead, Week 2 marked another collapse. Florida’s fight song was drowned out by South Florida’s celebration, leaving Napier on one of the hottest seats in the SEC.

This article first appeared on CFB-HQ on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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