Things have started to take shape in Billy Napier’s Florida Gators fans, that too in an interesting way. After all, the Gators are in a must-win season, and letting any loose end hanging would be majorly off-putting! Now, while Napier has been too serious about addressing the loopholes, his coaching roster just cracked up, with Florida football’s defensive backs coach Will Harris’ Gators’ chapter coming to an end. 

While Harris’ “business is business” reason in his departure note goes viral, a college football analyst came up with what might have happened, and Florida DC Ron Roberts, whom Napier retained, is in the picture. Is Roberts the reason behind Harris’ departure? And even if so, is there any other side of this story?

CFB analyst connects the dots behind Billy Napier’s coaching shake-up

Yes, once again Napier’s program made it to the headlines – not for the good though. The Gators had a costly loss. After all, Harris made an immense contribution to the program. His efforts did reap the sweetest fruit as Florida finished at No. 64 in the nation in PFF’s overall defensive metric with an 81 rating. Not just this. Napier’s coach had put together Florida’s top 10 class with the best of players. You name them- five-star receiver Dallas Wilson and blue-chip defensive backs Ben Hanks Jr., Hylton Stubbs, and Lagonza Hayward. Sadly, Napier’s luck didn’t favor. Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes poached Harris. Ever since he left, theories have started to pour in. Here comes analyst TJ Pittinger with his speculations. He has a question for the Gators fans, “I don’t know that Ron Roberts is especially liked by Florida staff now.”

He continues his analysis by postulating, “Ron seems kind of like a hard a– and maybe he just rubs people the wrong way… Many didn’t think Roberts would be retained at UF but clearly, he’s what Napier feels is best for his program moving forward.” After all, Napier by now has developed a bond with Roberts. Even before stepping into the Gators, he was a DC for Napier at Lousiana from 2018-2019. Last year, the Florida HC talked highly of Roberts’ “phenomenal” 30-plus-year resume and how it provides a luxury to Florida’s defensive staff. So, fans here are joining the dots with Harris’ exit. 

Harris’ February 15 post on X, further adds to the conjecture that he did not leave on his own accord. Rather he might have been forced. A part of it read, “We went through the trenches last year and pulled out one hell of a finish. With that being said, I understand business is business, and you have to do what you believe is best for the University of Florida’s football program. I appreciate you.” While Roberts might be held responsible for forcing Harris to give up on his role, here pops up another name. 

Billy Napier’s new hire raises eyebrows 

The Gators fans have kept their eye on Napier’s every move over the past few seasons. Back in January, the Gators HC hired the Jacksonville State defensive coordinator Vinnie Sunseri to fill Florida’s 2025 coaching staff. Till this role it was okay. However, Napier and Sunseri started to worry the fans a little. They found it odd when Sunseri was also named the safeties coach, taking some of Harris’ responsibilities away from him.

Well, On3 analyst J.D.PicKell had predicted the after-effect of Harris’ exit to be felt on the spring window of the transfer portal. He said since the coach had a big role to play in the recruiting part, this would make the players lose trust in Napier’s program. Rather they would be looking to find the answer to the question, “If the coach that recruited me to Florida is no longer there, does that change my decision to stay at a school like Florida?” Looks like someone has already got his answer to the question and it’s a ‘Yes’.

Four-star defensive back Jaelen Waters of Seffner has backed off his pledge to Billy Napier’s program. The news came a day after Will Harris’ departure. The 6’2 180 CB from Seffner, FL had been committed to the Gators since June. With Waters backing off his pledge to Florida, the Gators are now left with only two commits in the class of 2026 – Will Griffin and Devin Jackson. Is the timing of the Gators losing a coach and a player a coincidence? Maybe or maybe not.