The Gators are out of the muddy waters and breathing some fresh air. The Swamp saw a huge upturn transpire down the stretch this past season. They finished the year 8-5. A respectable outcome within the treacherous southeastern faction, especially with how hard their schedule was. This upturn coincided with a run at QB for true freshman DJ Lagway. His arrival on the college scene wasn’t exactly seamless, with injuries stunting his season. However, he may well have kept HC Billy Napier in the job. Now that he’s been afforded at least one more bite at the proverbial cherry, his 4th, Napier is taking the challenge head-on.

All head coaches want to build their team to project their own philosophy. As an offensive-minded guy, Napier is naturally more inclined to focus on that side of the football. In his 3 years at Florida, he’s been the primary play-caller. Deferring to a designated offensive coordinator to keep a more balanced outlook on both sides of his team is something that may have actually helped results. At least, that’s what Florida fans seem to think, and there is rationale to this sentiment. However, Billy Napier has not passed off the playbook and that direct line with Lagway through the headset yet. 

Napier appeared on the “Gators Breakdown” YouTube channel for an exclusive interview. Amid a bunch of requisite questions, he was confronted about how his role as the primary play-caller is a conversation that crops up every off-season. When asked why his taking on this responsibility was the “best move” and what gave him “conviction” about it, Billy Napier stood his ground. “I think the big thing is it helps us from an identity standpoint as a team,” he said. Napier proceeded to imply how being a head coach means he’s naturally got a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t than anybody in the program. 

“I think you’re a part of the inner workings, you know. From an installation script standpoint, and then how gameday goes.” The “script” sure has starred DJ Lagway a lot and will continue to do so. The “how gameday goes” bit, though, will cause a few sighs to reverberate out of Gainesville. The jury is still out on Billy Napier’s prowess as someone who can develop talent. But his in-game decisions have come under particular scrutiny. 

Alas, he’ll be a little more confident heading into year 4 with all that momentum he garnered. Things did click, and the pieces came together. Florida really will need to keep this momentum going. Week 3 through 6, they play a gauntlet of LSU, Miami, Texas, and Texas A&M. As if last year’s schedule wasn’t testing enough, Napier has found no respite. This means he could well be on the hot seat as early as October if things don’t pan out as hoped. Halloween could be extra spooky for Billy Napier. He’ll need one particular facet to be in his favor this season.

SEC insider believes DJ Lagway’s health could be what spells the end for Billy Napier

In a morbidly twisted way, Napier’s fate rests on the young shoulders of DJ Lagway. It’s on the board that he has a bit of a sophomore slump and doesn’t keep up with the standards he set for himself. If that is the case, Napier may not survive the season. No matter how much leverage his contract’s $51.8 million safety net and just as gaudy buyout afford him. That said, Billy Napier will be more worried about something much more tangible than a sophomore slump.

Over the Locked on SEC podcast, Georgia fan and insider Clint from the Dawgs podcast said “If DJ Lagway gets hurt or doesn’t progress at all…they’re gonna get rid of [Billy Napier].” Injuries aren’t a predictable factor, but DJ Lagway missed time last season, too. It is particularly high-risk with him. Napier shall be praying to the football gods he gets a clean, unobstructed run with his QB1. All while he calls the plays! Ironic how Billy Napier will be directly puppeteering the decisive factor for his future.

Billy Napier bought himself another year in Gainesville for a couple of prominent reasons. One, the players, including Lagway, did not down tools and continued to honor their head coach on the gridiron every Saturday. Two, the Gators program did not have a permanent president in place. This meant the decision to part with his $51.8 million contract was not one they could be rushed into. His reverence within the squad, as well as circumstances, have kept Napier safe thus far. He’ll now have to reciprocate that through his coaching and play-calling. A program of this ilk cannot hover around .500 each year.