![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier reacts to a call during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 23, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://collegefootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24831879_168403186_lowres.jpg "Billy Napier Replacements: Top 5 Coaching Candidates to Replace Florida HC Ft. Lane Kiffin")
Despite a win over the weekend, 23-21 against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the Florida Gators have lost patience with coach Billy Napier, and they have decided to fire him. The Gators, who came into the season as potential SEC championship contenders, are currently with a disappointing 3-4 record.
Hence, the Gators are now looking for a new coach and here are some of their top options.
Top 5 replacements for Billy Napier at Florida
#5 Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss (SEC)
A name that has come up several times is Ole Miss’s Lane Kiffin, with several analysts pointing out the Rebels coach as the man to take the Gators forward. Former Florida coach Steve Spurrier was one of those to say Kiffin could easily challenge for a national title at Gainesville. However, would Kiffin want to leave his 6-1 Rebels to start a lengthy rebuild at Florida? Currently, they’re No. 5 in the nation, and they’re serious contenders for the national title. Why would he leave?
#4 James Franklin – Formerly Penn State (Big Ten)
James Franklin just finished a lengthy relationship with the Penn State Nittany Lions. While he consistently helped the Nittany Lions rank as one of the top programs in the nation, he was never able to capitalize on it and bring titles to Happy Valley (Beyond the 2016 Big Ten title). However, his credentials are undeniable, and he just took Penn State to the College Football Playoff in 2024. Just taking the Gators there would be seen as a success. However, he has nothing to lose, right?
#3 Urban Meyer – Retired
A blast from the past? Last time the Florida Gators won a national title, it was with Urban Meyer. He brought not one, but two national titles to Gainesville. After that, he went on to win a third with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2014. While he seems to be enjoying a comfortable retirement as a Fox Sports analyst, more than once it has been mentioned that he would like to return to coaching. There will never be a better chance for Meyer to return to coaching.
#2 Rhett Lashlee – SMU (ACC)
Lashlee already took the SMU Mustangs to last year’s College Football Playoff, in the program’s first season at the ACC. While he has been heavily touted to replace Sam Pittman at Arkansas, why not go higher in the SEC’s pecking order with a program like Florida? Sure, he’s a proud Arkansas alumnus, but the Gators are a proper blue-blooded program and a much cleaner path to the College Football Playoff.
#1 Eli Drinkwitz – Missouri (SEC)
The Missouri Tigers have had a couple of standout seasons in the last few years, showing they have the raw materials to be a nationally relevant program, but they have failed to make the jump to the College Football Playoff. Perhaps this could be an opportunity for coach Eli Drinkwitz to jump to a program that gives him the necessary tools to make this final jump? It seems like the simple no-thrills move that makes absolute sense.
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