Woah! Things are getting pretty hot in Florida. The Gators’ HC Billy Napier has been in the hot seat with the $27.7 million buyout thorn looming over his head. While there have been rumors that the program is all ready to go to any extent to get rid of Napier even if it means emptying their fortunes, college football analyst Josh Pate had to barge in.

And quite surprisingly, he does not seem to be in the same line with the Gators’ decision to fire their HC. Instead, he pours in Napier’s support. Not only this, he even strikes off Lane Kiffin’s name as Napier’s replacement. Amidst the uncertainty, is the Ole Miss HC ready to flip his job? Maybe yes. Personal ties after all! 

Josh Pate challenges the logic behind Florida calling it an off with Billy Napier

The college football world is going gaga about the Gators getting rid of Napier, finally! What excites them is the program’s desperation, which made them go as far as arranging $27.7 million. While this itself must be enticing, Pate marked himself safely from the craze. Instead, he stood out from the crowd by giving Florida a big picture about their decision that would cost them hard. The analyst just had to hit the mark and dropped a bold question, “Why are you even considering firing him right now? what what point what sense does that make?”

He just had to. After all, Florida still has not decided upon their interim coach, who would take up the reins in Napier’s absence. But even if they do, Pate raised a premonition, warning their decision to be nothing but “ugly.” According to the analyst, the current Florida HC has curated a program that “is going to be playoff caliber.” Now let’s shift focus to who is going to risk his job and willing to take Napier’s seat. That’s already hot. The inside scoop? Ole Miss HC Kiffin is in the mix! 

Is Lane Kiffin a good choice as Billy Napier’s replacement

Well, Pate seems not to be convinced about the Gators’ decision to seek Napier’s replacement. The analyst dropped a bold question for the program, “If you could get Lane Kiffin, even if he does cover the Florida job is he leaving Old Miss in the middle of the playoff?” His answer seemed not to be quite positive as he claimed, “Well of course he’s not. No one’s doing that.” However, here comes a different narrative to the exit of Napier and enter Kiffin drama. 

For any coach, grabbing the national championship feels like being handed the keys to the kingdom. But poor Kiffin! He is yet to find the keys in Ole Miss. So to all those questioning why will Kiffin let go of the Rebels and join a program that is already in choppy water, he can win a national championship with the Gators. But apart from this, there lies an interesting reason, alluring enough for Kiffin to switch wagons. 

Being a family person, things have been tough for Lane Kiffin, who lost his father Monte Kiffin last July. The reason looms mostly around this. The CFB insider on The Ruffino & Joe Show podcast hinted at the probability, “A big factor here that nobody wants to talk about is his dad just passed, and his mom lives in Florida that’s a good point.” In case, Kiffin takes up Billy Napier’s position, will the Gators be at a better place after three, oops, four coaches giving them a hard time? Do share your thoughts!

While the Gators HC swap is a hot topic right now, NIL has also been the talk of the town. In case, you want to know more, here’s the Think Tank podcast that you can dig into.