We may have seen the beginning of the end for Billy Napier and, for many Gator fans, the sooner it happens, the better.
Florida struggled to score points, made gaffes on special teams, had untimely penalties and made all the situational errors that fans have come to expect in an 18-16 loss to South Florida. In a career defined by disappointment, this loss may be the most disappointing.
Florida loses to USF 18-15, in a final two minutes where:
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) September 6, 2025
* Player ejected for spitting - costing them 15 yards
* Billy Napier completely mismanages his timeouts
* Should've let USF score on multiple plays - doesnt
I mean, this is truly a masterclass in terrible coaching pic.twitter.com/3b5uKRyOR9
The embattled Gators football coach entered the season with huge expectations despite arguably the toughest schedule in the nation. Losses were expected on a schedule this tough, but this was not one of them. Florida was an 18.5-point favorite over USF today.
Fans (and media) are finished with Billy Napier
If Napier needs a friend, he might want to get a dog, but most humans appear to be ready to put him out with the trash. Dan Wolken, senior CFB writer for Yahoo, did everything but demand Napier be removed immediately.
Florida’s coaching staff should be embarrassed about every aspect of this. They have been horrid tonight. That last drive? Throwing on first down? Then the penalty on defense? They deserve the fury they’re going to get.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 6, 2025
Other fans have decided to swear off Florida football for the rest of the season if Napier is retainedand even athletic direotor Scott Stricklin (who just received a contract extension and raise) could not escape the wrath of a fan base looking for a pound of flesh. One former player said there's plenty enough blame to go around.
Failing in the big moments
FOXSports NFL writer and former college football writer Greg Auman wonders what Napier was thinking on the Gators final drive when they decided to throw instead of running and forcing USF to call their timeouts. The Bulls had two timeout available for their final drive, which ended with a short game-winning field goal as time expired.
How do you throw incomplete twice with the lead and three minutes left? All you want to do there is force USF to burn their time outs. Then you let the clock run down to 22 seconds before you use either of yours. Only path to victory by then is a missed chip shot field goal.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 7, 2025
Napier's management skills have been under constant criticism since he took the job, but tonight might've been the final straw. The bottom line is this Gators team is too talented to continue to make the same mistakes over and over again.
Something has to change. And it starts at the top.