Billy Napier faces calls for him to lose his job after OT loss to Arkansas
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Billy Napier and the Florida Gators entered Saturday’s game against 2-6 Arkansas with a 5-3 overall record.
However, the mismatch in records didn’t matter in The Swamp. A motivated Arkansas team went into Gainesville and earned a hard-fought 39-36 victory in overtime.
Naturally, Florida fans weren’t too happy with the result on Saturday. It was a tough blow for Napier, who has faced criticism at times this year and earned praise at others.
It was all negative on social media after Saturday’s loss, though. Here’s a sampling of some of the reactions to Florida’s bad loss:
Arkansas! What a win. Florida is going to struggle to make a bowl game now. Awful home loss for Billy Napier.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/blueorangeUF/status/1720895557361639901
I like Billy Napier I think he a good guy. I do think the job to big for him tho. Players got to help your coach man. No troll sh!t
— J.dub (@jwormski) November 4, 2023
How Billy Napier has the coaching IQ of a boiled peanut and landed a coaching job at UF is nobody but Scott Stricklin’s fault
— danny (@batshitbaddie) November 4, 2023
Wow, it’s really hard to defend Billy Napier at this point tbh. His only saving grace at this point is keeping the class intact bc his on-field product is U-G-L-Y
— Mike. (@__miguelito____) November 4, 2023
Billy Napier when the game is on the line……….. This man has to get an Oc and Special team coordinator ?? #Gatorsfb pic.twitter.com/N07WQdkNAl
— JKILL FROM JVILLE (@JKillJagSwag904) November 4, 2023
Billy Napier needs to be fired after this season. I’m tired of losing games that we should’ve won.
— ??????? ??????? ⁶? ???⬛ (@Brayden_Barnett) November 4, 2023
Shame on Billy Napier. The gators almost won DESPITE his poor coaching. Constantly not targeting his best players until he has no choice. Refusing to correct special teams. Cannot defend it anymore
— Zach Whittier (@whackzittierrr) November 4, 2023
Shane Beamer/Billy Napier pic.twitter.com/UAoCfYV5cl
— SC_HS_FB (@SC_HS_FB) November 4, 2023
The Billy Napier era should be a wrap following this season
— Isaac Mendez (@bigike09) November 4, 2023
Yes, this was a rough look for Napier and the Gators, but as attorney Darren Heitner points out, it’s unlikely Florida will make a change this offseason:
Job security: pic.twitter.com/P7n5qttGlz
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) November 4, 2023
Now, Florida will have to upset either LSU, Mizzou or Florida State in its last 3 games to reach bowl eligibility. If the Gators finish 5-7 and miss a bowl, calls for Napier to get fired will only grow louder.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
