Billy Napier’s time at Florida may soon be chomped.
The Gators’ coach could be fired as soon as this weekend, according to a bombshell USA Today report, and reportedly won’t survive one more loss.
Florida hosts Mississippi State this weekend before facing Georgia in a massive rivalry game on Nov. 1.
Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin met with several prominent boosters on Tuesday, who told him their support depends on “new direction” within the program, per USA Today.
These boosters reportedly have been chomping — pun intended — at the bit to move on from Napier, and reportedly were willing to pay a large buyout to move on from Napier during last year’s 8-5 campaign.
Stricklin convinced them to instead use their financial weight to help Napier, which reportedly played a role in how Florida flipped star receiver Dallas Wilson from his Oregon commitment, along with keeping other premium players from leaving for other programs.
However, the boosters reportedly wanted him to give up offensive control by handing the reins to a veteran offensive coordinator but that did not come to fruition.
Florida entered the year with high expectations and a No. 15 ranking, but any chance of competing for a national title is already gone.
The Gators lost a stunner to South Florida in their second game before falling to LSU and in-state rival Miami to fall to 1-3.
An upset win over Texas provided some good vibes before last weekend’s loss at Texas A&M.
With three ranked teams still left on the schedule in the Bulldogs, Ole Miss and Tennessee, it’s possible the Gators could be staring at a third losing season in Napier’s four years.
He’s 21-23 with the program after a successful four-year run with Louisiana.
Napier reportedly has a roughly $21 million buyout in his contract, per USA Today, which is relative chump change compared to the $49 million Penn State owes James Franklin after axing him on Sunday.
The publication notes that the “hope” is for Napier to finish the season before a coaching search commences as Florida continues to struggle in the post-Urban Meyer era.