What’s new with Florida football coach Billy Napier?

The future of controversial Florida coach Billy Napier is marked by an aura of inevitability.

After two lackluster home losses and a seven-game losing streak against FBS opponents, Napier's poor record has essentially sealed his coaching fate in Gainesville. Now all that remains is to determine the timing of his departure.

Napier's tenure is philosophically consistent with a famous quote from Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, adapting a line from Henry Kissinger when he declared in 2004 after firing Ron Zook: “If something has to be done sometime, it has to be done now.”

The “someday” part is secure, as no one expects Napier to be back on the sidelines for the Gators in 2025. Then come the various factors that require immediate action, as an impatient fan base waits for a little hope to cling to.

Florida travels to Mississippi State this weekend. A loss at Starkville ultimately cost Ron Zook his job in 2004, leading to Foley's citation. That came seven games into the season in late October, which was considered shockingly early at the time. (Foley then outsmarted Notre Dame and hired Urban Meyer, one of the most significant signings in school history.)

The notion that the end of October is early is now old news. As of October 2, 2022, five coaches from the major conferences have been fired. Here are five questions that need to be answered as Florida decides the future of its struggling football program.

1. Why make a change soon?

Generally, the reason for a change early in the season has to be a clear path to improvement. If that path is uncertain, which seems to be the case in Florida, the only reason for the change would be an emotional response to satisfy the fan base.