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Florida Football: Five dream solutions if Billy Napier isn’t the answer

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 16, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier and Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) run onto the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier and Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) run onto the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oregon head coach Dan Lanning breaks from a huddle as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning breaks from a huddle as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. /

Florida Football Dream Solutions: Dan Lanning

If there is one guy on this list that feels like a can’t miss home run hire, it’s Dan Lanning.

We’re not naive to think it’s ground breaking to say that Lanning is the fastest rising head coach in the nation right now. After his stint as the defensive coordinator at Georgia, Lanning has Oregon on the doorstep of the college football playoff if they can win out.

Unlike the other coaches on this list, Lanning stepped into a much better situation as Oregon was coming off three successful seasons under Mario Cristobal before he left for Miami, so there is reason to have doubt.

But Lanning seems to have the persona that would fire up any college fanbase and make them want to run through a wall for him.

And like everyone else, Lanning’s name is linked to the plethora of openings around the country. When asked about it, he said:

"“There’s zero chance that I would be coaching somewhere else. I’ve got unfinished business here; there’s a lot that I want to accomplish here at Oregon. My No. 1 priority is being elite here at Oregon and we have the resources, the tools — anybody that can’t understand why you would want to be here at this place does not understand exactly what exists here.” “I’m not concerned about, like getting a better contract. I’m taken care of extremely well here at Oregon. I have the resources I need here at Oregon to be really, really successful. I’m not motivated by that. I’m motivated by winning. I’m motivated by being elite here.”"

If he is genuine, it is refreshing. Lanning isn’t wrong when he states that Oregon can be elite for a long time if he stays. Too often, coaches go chasing the next big job when they have a stable situation with the one they have.

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