Orlando Sentinel: UF AD Scott Stricklin Insists Billy Napier Is Not On Hot Seat

We all know what our record has been the last two years. Napier is going to be here through AT LEAST the end of 2024. Why waste time examining our navels now?

 

What else is he going to say? I very much doubt any decision on Coach Napier will be made by SS. It will go way higher up the chain.

 

The "people that matter" are solidly behind Billy and will probably give Billy at least a 4th year. They are more worried about academic matters than athletic matters.

They want the football team to succeed but are patient enough to give Billy the time.

I am NOT trying to start a firestorm but our administration and BOT wants us to be the number one academic public school in the nation. That is their first priority and the first priority of the majority of students who enroll at UF and their parents.

They like athletics but academics are their overriding priority.

I am just telling you what I believe to be true.

If anyone has clear evidence that this is not true I will be glad to listen to you.

They think that we can be successful at athletics if we work at it and not try to rush it.

You are free to disagree if you like.

 

The people up the chain are solidly behind Napier and they almost always follow the advice of the AD. They will let SS handle his job and fire Napier when and IF they think that they need to make a change. But SS will get to decide Billy's future IMHO.

 

That’s your prediction. And I hope it comes true. Because it will mean Napier wins seven games or more this season. He will not survive a third losing season. He just won’t.

 

The obsession with seat temperatures is always an odd one to me.

 

His third season is 2024, yes? How is your navel doing?

 

I would have said the same thing a couple of years ago.

 

SS to ATM?

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

He is on the hot seat with recruits, which is really all that matters.

He has two straight losing seasons at a major program. That = perceived hot seat based upon decades of football at tons of schools.

Even if we are planning on doing what virtually no major program does (keep a coach after THREE losing seasons to start) nobody will believe it until we do it.

 

Nobody is forcing you to do analysis. If analysis and research isn’t your jam then don’t focus on it. But don’t act shocked the LT health of the football program is of concern to Florida fans

 

If we can’t walk and chew gum at the same time then we have no business being the top academic school.

Either way if what you say is true I’m in the camp it’s a terrible decision. It’s giving the state to FSU and UCF in the pursuit of being an Ivy League school right when the public doesn’t give a crap about that. Its the wrong path for the school but good for someone’s wallet

 

"Analysis"? You meaning counting our won/loss record record the last two years? LMAO!!

We know what your "jam" is. Whining and complaining.

 

Firing coaches every two years is not the path to successful rebuilding. Coaches need four years, three at a minimum. As Zook said, Noise in the system” …it’s hurting Napier and his recruiting efforts. Every fan base is awful. FSU fans wanted to boot Norvell after year two. It takes patience which no one has. Napier gets fired and we start over…again.

 

Spurrier needed one year (he did his job as far as winning the SEC in 1990 goes). Meyer needed two. When did four years become the rule and how does that argument hold up when rosters are turning over more every year because of the portal? Like any other endeavor, the coaching ranks are filled with underachievers who are fine with getting something for nothing. Our post-Meyer history of offering ridiculously premature contract extensions and ridiculously inflated buyouts plus the effort and results put forth by our last 4 hires are a match made in heaven.

 

Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer both inherited loaded rosters. Billy has had to build from scratch. Don’t you think that adds an extra year or two to his timeline opposite two of the most successful coaches in all of college football?

 

THIS!!!

 

I fear you are correct, but does firing a coach every three years bode well for the Gators? Oddly, this same discussion was occurring at Free Shoes until they got their qb.

 

Well of course he does. Admitting so would be admitting that he himself is on the hot seat.