Florida Gators coach Billy Napier still faces significant pressure to prove he’s the right leader for the team in The Swamp, as speculation continues about his position being on the hot seat.
To Napier’s credit, Florida has shown improvement since their slow start, winning three of their last four games. However, expectations remain high in Gainesville.
Florida’s upcoming games against the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, LSU Tigers, and Ole Miss Rebels present an opportunity for Napier to secure his position. However, this challenging schedule could also be the decisive factor in whether Florida decides to make a change.
On3’s J.D. PicKell predicts that Missouri Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz could take over for Napier at Florida. This comment was made during his weekly pick segment in anticipation of Week 9.
“I don’t really trust Missouri all that much. I love Eli Drinkwitz, love Eli Drinkwitz,” PicKell stated during Wednesday’s episode of “The Hard Count” podcast. “If you’re asking me today, I think he’s probably my choice for the next head coach at Florida, assuming what we all believe about Napier’s eventual firing comes to pass.”
This isn’t the first time Drinkwitz has been connected to Florida. However, he signed a $46 million contract with Missouri in December, according to KRCG. For comparison, Napier’s deal with the Gators is worth $51.8 million. Heading into the 2024 season, Napier’s buyout stands at $26.7 million, as reported by CBS Sports.
