ESPN's Paul Finebaum went on The Matt Barrie Show and discussed the current speculation surrounding Florida Head Coach Billy Napier's job status, and the 'Voice of the SEC' didn't hold back.
Near the end
Finebaum, who has become much more critical of Napier since Florida's loss to USF, sounded off on Napier and the poor display the Gators have shown on the field.
Specifically, Finebaum called out Napier's decision to not hire an offensive coordinator, despite pleas from fans and media.
“Billy Napier, because he is the offensive coordinator, diminishes his opportunity to be a very good, if not great, head coach. He’s not — he’s a mediocre head coach," Finebaum said.
“His record is what? 20-22? The fact that we’re still discussing this as a possibility that he survives is a testament to what I’m not really sure, but the end is very near," he added.
Perhaps one could interpret Finebaum's conditional approach to Napier's job security, as a subtle jab at Florida's athletic administrators, especially Athletic Director Scott Stricklin.
Regardless, however, Finebaum doubled-down on his thoughts on the future regarding Napier and the Gators with a definitive ending.
“However (AD) Scott Stricklin decides to do it and what matter, I really don’t know. And quite frankly, I don’t really care because he is not coming back as Florida’s head coach.”
“That’s intolerable and unacceptable, and Billy Napier here has nowhere to go,” Finebaum continued. “I mean, he can keep talking about how much his team is gutting it out, but they’re still losing ... there’s always something that goes haywire.”
That closing statement perfectly sums up the Billy Napier saga at Florida.
He brings fans on a winding rollercoaster, filled with major wins and losses both on and off the field.
But in the end, when all is said and done, his own ineptitude comes back to haunt him, and that's why he'll ultimately be fired as head coach of the Florida Gators.