By the time Tennessee football heads to Gainesville for its penultimate game of the season, Florida may not have its head coach. According to a report from USA TODAY, the Gators may be just a loss away from firing Billy Napier. That would make his departure as soon as this weekend.
Florida plays Mississippi State in The Swamp on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. ET and will air on the SEC Network. The Gators are at 2-4 (1-2 SEC) while the Bulldogs sit at 4-2 (0-2 SEC). MSU is also coming off a bye week.
USA TODAY’s report is based on conversations with three sources who remained anonymous. Athletic Director Scott Strickland reportedly ‘met with a handful of influential boosters Tuesday, and was told continuing financial support depends on new direction within the football program.’
The article notes clearly that Napier is unlikely to ‘survive another loss.’
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Napier’s buyout at the moment is around $21 million. This would be one of the largest buyouts in college football history.
Tennessee and Florida are set to meet Nov. 22. Even if UF survives its home game against Mississippi State, it feels very unlikely the Gators will be able to go undefeated heading into the game vs. the Vols. After MSU, it’s a game vs. Georgia, at Kentucky and at Ole Miss.
If Napier is fired, there is a coach on the staff with head coaching experience who may get the interim nod. Defensive coordinator and executive head coach Ron Roberts led both Delta State and Southeastern Louisiana.
Under Josh Heupel, Tennessee is 2-2 against Florida. However, Heupel is yet to earn a win on the road in the series, losing in both 2021 and 2023. The last time UT won in The Swamp was 2003.
