Steve Spurrier Predicts If Florida Will Fire Billy Napier This Year

Former Florida national champion head coach Steve Spurrier took on the mantle of the "ambassador" for the Florida Gators athletic department in 2016. He has witnessed UF go through three different coaches in his short tenure in Gainesville, which has included three straight losing seasons.

Head coach Billy Napier has been at the helm for the last two-plus seasons, finishing 6-7 in 2022 and 5-7 in 2023. After suffering a blowout loss to in-state rival Miami to open the 2024 season, discourse around the state of the Florida program and Napier's job security were overwhelmingly negative.

As someone who works directly with Florida decision makers and school boosters, Spurrier may hold the answers to the true nature of the Napier-hot seat talk. The former Heisman Trophy winner shared what his message has been to fans during an appearance on "The Paul Finebaum Show" ahead of Florida's Week 3 matchup against Texas A&M.

"I tell them (UF fans) we need to do better, obviously," he said. "And beginning of the year, I really felt like Billy, he’s gonna get the season. After the Miami game a lot of rumors, you know how they fly around. But I really feel like nothing is going to happen this year. I really don’t."

Napier signed a seven-year, $51.8 million deal to replace Dan Mullen. He had a history of success for the Louisiana Rajun Cajuns, including a pair of Sun Belt Championships.

"I mean, we’ve got a lot invested in Napier and his staff and all these people," Spurrier continued. "And he’s gonna get an opportunity to turn it around. Hopefully it will be this year, but I think we need to having a winning season to get the fans back on good graces."

If a winning season is possible helm, that feat would be outstanding with the type of schedule the Gators have ahead. Florida will face five ranked opponents down the road, including four of the top seven teams in the nation. The decision may come down to whether Florida leaders consider the schedule as a deciding factor. Napier's buyout may also play a part as he is owed $28.3 million if fired without cause this year.

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin doubled down on his faith in Napier ahead of the season opening loss to the Hurricanes.

"I really believe Billy Napier is going to be the coach at Florida for a long, long time," he told Finebaum.

Texas A&M will pay a visit to Gainesville in an SEC opener on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC). The Aggies are listed as 4-point favorites, per ESPN Bet. Florida will look differently on offense by playing returning starter Graham Mertz and former five-star DJ Lagway at quarterback.

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