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Five coaches Billy Napier is still a better option than for the Gators in 2024

Just remember, it could always be worse

By Benjamin Henderson

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]
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] / Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY
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4. Bret Bielema - Illinois

Bret Bielema looks flustered in Iowa
Nov 18, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts during the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Another case of "What the hell happened to you?," Bret Bielema has had one of the more dramatic downfalls in college coaching of anyone in recent memory. During his seven years at Wisconsin the Badgers went to three straight Rose Bowls, had four years with at least nine wins, and never had a losing season.

Then he went to Arkansas in 2013 and could never replicate the success as the Razorbacks never won more than eight games with Bielema in charge and he was invited to leave in 2017 after a 4-8 season.

Bielema spent time in the NFL before coming back to college to coach Illinois. Two of his three seasons have seen him go 5-7, including a blowout loss to that same 4-8 Purdue team.

Bielema may be a "name," but he would be a disaster if he was the coach in Florida.

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