The Florida Gators are in their third season under head coach Billy Napier, and their 1-2 record doesn’t offer much hope for improvement. Many fans have been vocal in their criticism of Napier.
The recent loss by the Texas A&M Aggies only adds to the frustration among Gators fans, with some calling for the coach’s dismissal. It will be interesting to see when, or if, that decision is made.
Penn State Nittany Lions Head Coach James Franklin Named As a Potential Billy Napier Replacement For the Florida Gators
Some Florida Gators fans have floated the idea of bringing in former Alabama head coach Nick Saban or former Gators coach Urban Meyer to replace Billy Napier after the 2024 season. However, there are other potential candidates that could be considered. During ESPN’s College Gameday podcast, several names were mentioned, including Lane Kiffin, James Franklin, Eli Drinkwitz, Matt Campbell, Matt Rhule, and Mike Gundy.
Among these, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin seems like the most logical fit for Florida. Kiffin has the Rebels ranked fifth in the nation, but the question remains whether he’d leave a less pressure-filled job at Ole Miss for the high expectations that come with leading the Gators.
Another intriguing option is Penn State’s James Franklin. Franklin, who previously coached in the SEC with Vanderbilt, could bring valuable experience if he were to make the move back to the conference.
Might Be Time For a New Challenge For Franklin
James Franklin has been the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions since 2014, and with a 90-39 record and a .698 winning percentage over 129 games, he’s built a solid resume. However, after the 2024 season, a change might be in the cards for Franklin.
Right now, Franklin seems like a stronger option for the Florida Gators compared to Billy Napier. His success in recruiting at Penn State is something Florida urgently needs in the highly competitive SEC. If Penn State fails to make the College Football Playoff this season, even fans in Happy Valley might start calling for a new direction, which could open the door for Franklin to take over in Gainesville.
