Heading into week 2 of the 2024 season and coming off a disastrous season opener, Billy Napier is now 11-15 at the University of Florida and is on pace to have the worst coaching record in the history of the football program with three back-to-back losing seasons. It is natural to ask what went wrong and whether Scott Stricklin should have hired him. First, let us re-evaluate the realistic candidates that were available in November 2021. Based on the evidence we had in November 2021, Billy Napier was the best hire. Luke Fickell had a better winning record at Cincinatti but it was well known that he was not going to leave the Midwest. Mario Cristobal's record was only slightly worst than Napier's, but it was understood that he would never coach at Florida as a Miami alumnus. Retaining Dan Mullen was the next best option, but he was already checked out. James Franklin was locked in at his alma mater of Penn State. Kalen DeBoer was an unknown at Fresno State with no ties to the SEC and a lower winning record. Lane Kiffin's name will always be on these lists, but the boosters were not ready for the 2021 version of Lane Kiffin. Not that it was a factor, but it is important to note that Kiffin's ex-wife, Layla Reaves, is the daughter of Gator Great John Reaves.
Given what we knew at the time, Billy Napier was the right hire. Scott Stricklin should not be chastized for making what he thought was the best hire. As a fanbase we need to ask what went wrong and what needs to change in order to make the next hire a success?
Given what we knew at the time, Billy Napier was the right hire. Scott Stricklin should not be chastized for making what he thought was the best hire. As a fanbase we need to ask what went wrong and what needs to change in order to make the next hire a success?
| Name | School | Salary | Buyout | W | L | Total WL% | Current WL% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Fickell | Cincinnati | $3.40 | $4.00 | 51 | 21 | 70.83% | 76.27% |
| Billy Napier | Louisiana | $2.00 | $3.00 | 37 | 12 | 75.51% | 75.51% |
| Mario Cristobal | Oregon | $2.7 | $9.00 | 62 | 60 | 50.82% | 72.92% |
| Dan Mullen | Florida | $7.60 | $12.00 | 103 | 60 | 63.19% | 70.83% |
| James Franklin | Penn State | $5.50 | $4.00 | 90 | 47 | 65.69% | 67.35% |
| Kalen DeBoer | Fresno State | $1.35 | $1.50 | 79 | 8 | 90.80% | 66.67% |
| Lane Kiffin | Ole Miss | $4.50 | $0.00 | 74 | 41 | 64.35% | 65.00% |
| Mel Tucker | Michigan State | $6.00 | $6.00 | 16 | 13 | 55.17% | 64.71% |
| Jamey Chadwell | Coastal Carolina | $0.85 | $0.00 | 87 | 54 | 61.70% | 58.70% |
| Jeff Hafley | Boston College | $3.00 | $0.00 | 12 | 9 | 57.41% | 57.14% |
| Brian Kelly | Notre Dame | ~$5 | ~$5 | 263 | 96 | 63.5% | 56.52% |
| Chip Kelly | UCLA | $5.8 | $1.5 | 81 | 41 | 66.39% | 50.72% |
| Mark Stoops | Kentucky | $5.00 | 1.75 | 56 | 63 | 47.06% | 47.06% |
| Jeff Lebby | Ole Miss (OC) | $1.20 | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Joe Brady | Carolina Panthers (OC) | $1.00 | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
