Five coaches Billy Napier is still a better option than for the Gators in 2024
![Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) gets directions from Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier during University of Florida Gators’ Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 28, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3391,h_1907,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2F213%2F01j2j69j7cn6htkanvtg.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) gets directions from Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier during University of Florida Gators’ Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 28, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
The 2024 season is fast approaching, and Billy Napier has a seat so warm that even people out in Phoenix and Las Vegas are saying to themselves "Yeah, that's hot."
But as disappointing as Napier's two years in Gainesville have been to this point, there are still coaches we would say no thanks to if given the choice to swap them out for Napier in 2024.
The following are five coaches from the Power Four ranks we would pass on if given the choice for them to lead the Gators this season.
1. Clark Lea - Vanderbilt
During the 2010s, Vanderbilt actually had a hint of respectability within the SEC. James Franklin led them to three straight bowl games, including two 9-4 campaigns, and Derek Mason had decent years in 2016 and 2018 before the wheels fell off.
Clark Lea came to Nashville for the 2021 season for his first career head coaching job and boldly declared in 2022 after going 2-10 that "We know in time Vanderbilt football will be the best program in the country."
Well, Clark went 2-10 once again in 2023 and the Commodores weren't even close in nine of their ten losses. His recruiting class of 2024 was dead last in the SEC and currently their class of 2025 is also dead last, the lone program Florida is ahead.
Yes, Clark and his Vanderbilt program did beat Napier on the field in 2022, but in his other two attempts against the Gators he has lost 42-0 and 38-14.
There would be riots if Florida hired Clark to replace Napier.