Florida football fans are growing restless under head coach Billy Napier, and according to ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, the name the vast majority are calling to replace him with is none other than Lane Kiffin.
Of course, the Kiffin-to-Florida rumors are nothing new. Nor is the anger and frustration towards Napier. However, Finebaum made it clear that the pressure is only building in Gainesville.
There was hope that Napier was quietly turning things around with the Gators. In some ways, he has steadied the once-sinking ship. However, make no mistake about it, that ship is still taking on heavy water.
Napier and the Gators had a chance to completely change the narrative last Saturday against Georgia.
They certainly had their chances against the Bulldogs, but ultimately fell apart in the 34-20 loss in a game that was much tighter than the final score indicates.
Now sitting with a 4-4 record (2-3 in the SEC), all of the questions and doubts have reemerged about what the future holds for the once-mighty program.
Appearing on The Matt Barrie Show, Finebaum discussed the troubling situation and revealed that Kiffin is clearly target #1 for the majority of Gators fans.
“I’ve spoken to Florida fans who are ready to move on,” Finebaum said. “I’m talking to people in the parking lot at EverBank Stadium, so I’ll say that on the front end … They want Lane Kiffin. You can agree or disagree, America, but that’s who they are fixated on. And that has not changed in 10 weeks.”
Napier, who is 15-18 overall at Florida, faces mounting pressure heading into the final stretch of the season, with games against three ranked SEC opponents, including Kiffin鈥檚 Ole Miss Rebels on November 23.
While the frustration from the fanbase is certainly nothing new, it鈥檚 unclear whether Florida鈥檚 administration is prepared to part ways with Napier at season’s end.
Barrie argued in favor of giving Napier more time, noting that his team competed well against a powerhouse Georgia squad.
Finebaum, while acknowledging Napier’s struggles, agreed that firing him may not be the school鈥檚 immediate plan unless a top-tier replacement is already lined up.
“It may be a split decision, which favors Billy Napier. Because the only way – and I would agree with you – to fire him is if you have lock solid somebody,” Finebaum told Barrie. “Because you can get away with [keeping Napier]. He’s done enough to show that he’s capable.”
Some Florida fans may not want to hear it, but Finebaum insisted that Kiffin wouldn’t think of leaving Ole Miss if the Rebs end up qualifying for the CFB Playoff.
At 7-2, Kiffin and the Rebs face a virtual must-win game this coming Saturday against those same Georgia Bulldogs.
Simply put, Ole Miss can’t afford to pick up a third loss if they want to have a realistic shot at punching their ticket to the dance.
What are your thoughts on the job Napier has done? … Should Florida fans still be as angry with him now as they were earlier in the season?
As for Kiffin, should he indeed be considered the “dream candidate” to take over at Florida? … Or are some fans overrating him just a tad?
Do you agree with Finebaum that Ole Miss making the Playoff would destroy any chance the Gators have at luring Kiffin out of Oxford? … Or will money talk???
