Billy Napier's job is safe — for now. Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin put all the speculation to rest this week, offering a resounding vote of confidence in his embattled football coach.
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Stricklin, addressing growing frustrations after a tough start to the season, reiterated that Napier will remain the Gators' head coach, emphasizing the need for stability and a long-term vision.
At 4-4 on the season, Florida's been a mixed bag. Napier's third year has seen its fair share of struggles, notably the blowout loss to Miami and a frustrating defeat to Texas A&M.
But Stricklin isn't panicking. Instead, he points to the strides Florida has made — especially from the younger players. Freshman QB DJ Lagway, who's taken over as the starter after Graham Mertz's season-ending injury, has shown flashes of brilliance. His ability to make plays with his legs, combined with freshman running back Jadan Baugh's emergence, gives reason for optimism.
Napier's record, 15-18 overall, isn't what Florida fans expected when he took over. But Stricklin is sticking with him, especially given that the buyout is a staggering $26 million. That's a hefty price to pay, especially when you factor in the $40 million it would take to transition to a new coach.
More than just the financials, though, Stricklin says he's sticking with Napier because of the foundation he's building — one that could pay off in the next year or two if they can keep the young talent around, like Lagway, who was a key recruit for Napier.
The Gators may not be where fans hoped they would be by year three of Napier's tenure, but Stricklin believes they're on the right path. The focus, for now, is on the long game. If Florida's future is to be built on the backs of these freshmen and sophomores, the Gators will have to ride out the bumps and stick to their plan — no matter how much the fans scream for change.
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