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

In principle, I agree. If Napier had turned in Zook-level performance, and we were complaining that he should have won the SEC by the end of his third season and, therefore, he has to go, then I would be in full agreement that he has not received a fair evaluation. Three years would be insufficient to show the kind of progress that Napier’s system, or process, is designed to show. But that is not the situation we are in. We are talking about winning seasons. We are talking about minimum expectations. Three consecutive losing seasons is probably not acceptable at any program in the country. And it certainly is not acceptable at the University of Florida. There is not a player or coach in the country who would not understand why we fired a head coach who could not achieve a winning season in three years. I want Napier to work out, too. But if you cannot pull together a winning season in three years, then I don’t believe he will be able to do so in four or in five. And I cannot think of a single good reason to throw away two additional seasons.

 

Bad news for Stricklin: Billy is absolutely on the hot seat with the fans.

Good news for Stricklin: fans may huff and puff but they’re not going to stay away, in droves, even in the event of another losing season.

 

He’s not on the hot seat with all fans, maybe not even the majority of fans. Certainly with many who post on GC, though.

 

Stricklin maybe saying that because he may not be our AD for much longer - TAMU is set to poach him.

 

So the majority of fans are okay with performance to date ? Source ?

 

A 4 year losing streak, and should it happen a third under BN and you have a catastrophe. He will not get an extension. UF will be easy to recruit against because if he is not on the hot seat now, a losing season again it will be lava hot. No new coaches of any worth will want to hit their wagon to a coach with 3 consecutive losing seasons. And lastly, I believe fans will vote with their feet and wallets. So much is riding on this year and I'm convinced BN knows it.

And the AD's response to that question is captain obvious. Like he is going to say, "If BN doesn't have a winning season this year I'm firing his butt. Yes he's on the hot seat, glad you asked."

 

I saw that video on YouTube that Stricklin may be on the ejection seat. Might be for the best, in a year or two maybe we can get our house in order and contend for a playoff spot.

 

I would be very surprised if SS doesn't take the TAM job. I think he sees the writing on the wall and it would be best for him to move on.

 

would say a lot if he chooses to leave.

 

It looks that way at the start of the season, but who knows what it will look like at the end? Our 2003 season turned out much tougher...

 

If SS goes to A&M, it will be our gain and their loss.

 

You think Gator fans are demanding? Aggie fans are absolutely insane. Remember how much they paid Fisher to leave?

 

We need to stop talking about this right now. Don’t you know that billion dollar institutions make decisions based on what we say? Just keep a lid on this.

 

Reread his post. MAYBE!

 

That's not the point. If your employment is tied to whether or not the hc will have a winning season then it's easy to see how tempting an TAM job is. SS has to know all the key coaching hires has not gone well at all and that is not a good look. Do you risk losing your job in a year or two or do you start over with a brand new contract and years of employment?

 

BN not on hot seat become SS does not realize he too is on the hot seat. You pick a head BB and FB coach that fail and you are on the hot seat. You have stained Gator athletics

 

Stricklin's fate is tied to CBN's and he has to know that.
That being said, the perpetual coach recycling program every few years does not go anywhere good.

 

Is this it?





Kinds harsh for a man that age...

 

I'll say this one time, no matter who the coach is it will NOT change our NIL problem. Without a competitive NIL we could have the best college coaching staff in the country and we will not be where we need to be.

We need to fix the NIL...

 

Didn’t the reporter ask him directly if CBN is on the hot seat? If he is not on the hot seat, how should SS have answered the question? He had to answer the question one way or the other. If he dodged the question, that would also be interpreted as being on the hot seat.