The Florida football program is facing challenges that haven’t been seen in Gainesville for almost 80 years, and much of the criticism is directed at current head coach Billy Napier. Despite inheriting a team with few resources from his predecessor and facing tough schedules, Napier is ultimately held accountable for the team’s performance. CBS Sports writer Will Backus ranked Napier as the 13th head coach in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), citing the team’s record and lack of improvement under his leadership.
According to Backus, the Gators’ performance under Napier has not met expectations, with mistakes still being made in his second year that are typically seen in a team transitioning under a new coach. With a challenging schedule ahead in 2024, there may not be much room for improvement in the team’s record. Napier is ranked 47th overall among college football head coaches, dropping from his 11th place ranking in the SEC after the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the conference.
Backus also listed Kirby Smart of Georgia as the top coach in SEC rankings, followed by Brian Kelly of LSU and Steve Sarkisian of Texas. The Florida Gators are set to open their 2024 season against Miami Hurricanes on August 31st at home, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and coverage provided by ABC Sports. Be sure to follow @GatorsWire on Twitter and like their page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news and updates throughout this upcoming season!