Year 4 of the Billy Napier era is do-or-die for the Florida Gators. With FanDuel setting the win total at 6.5, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can they silence the critics? All eyes are on DJ Lagway, the electrifying quarterback ready to take over in his first full season as a starter. But he’s not the only one under the microscope—Napier is now calling the shots on offense. Will this move ignite a high-powered attack or pile on even more pressure? The answer could define Florida’s future.

And here, On3 insiders Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman just sent a strong message to Billy Napier—follow Ryan Day’s blueprint. Last year, Day handed off play-calling duties to Chip Kelly, and Ohio State walked away with a national title. Napier, on the other hand, refused to bring in an OC despite mounting pressure. Now, that decision looms large over his future. As On3 insiders put it, his $27.5 million fate hangs in the balance.

And Wasserman didn’t hold back when discussing Napier’s decision to keep play-calling duties. He pointed to OSU’s success, saying, “You know, the thing that’s interesting is, what’s the biggest difference about Ohio State this past year? Like Ryan Day calling plays—the year before, they won the national title. That doesn’t mean Ryan Day isn’t good at calling plays, but it’s not just about how good the coach is at calling plays. It’s also about the bigger picture.”

And the bigger picture is exactly where Napier might be falling short. On3 insiders questioned his focus, asking, “If Billy Napier isn’t calling the plays, do they avoid all those du-b penalties against Tennessee because he’s more focused? Do they avoid calling a jet sweep on fourth and inches when they have a 240-pound quarterback? How dialed in can you be on the entire game when your face is buried in a play sheet? That’s the number one issue.”

However, Wasserman didn’t mince words when it came to Napier’s stubborn approach. He made it clear, “I personally would have liked to see him hire an offensive coordinator, someone he truly trusts. I don’t know if saying, ‘If I’m going down, I’m going down with the play sheet in my hand,’ is the right approach.” Right now, Napier’s decision is brave, but is it clever? With so much at stake, refusing to delegate could either prove his genius or seal his fate.

Being a head coach isn’t just about Xs and Os—it’s about building the right team. It’s about making the right hires, trusting your instincts, and letting talented people do what they do best. That’s where the great ones separate themselves. And for Billy Napier, the question remains: Is sticking to his old ways the right move, especially with a new QB under center? Don’t know.

“But here’s the problem—Billy Napier trusts who he trusts, and that circle is really small. That could be his downfall. It could also be the way he consolidates power, maintains influence, and saves his job. Because he has one ace in the hole: DJ Lagway,” said Andy. To be honest, Napier is walking a fine line. His loyalty to a tight inner circle could either sink him or solidify his control. But with a talent like Lagway at QB, the outcome could change everything.

What would be the scenario for Billy Napier’s Florida?

The 2024 season was a rollercoaster for the Florida Gators. Billy Napier’s squad scraped together just four in-conference wins and eight total victories. At one point, his job security was hanging by a thread—it even felt like the firing squad was warming up.

Now, as the 2025 season looms, Napier’s contract situation is the hottest topic in Gainesville. The pressure is sky-high, and his future hangs in the balance. If he delivers, an extension could be on the table. But if the Gators stumble again, his $27.5 million buyout fate might be sealed.

The On3 insider Ari painted a fascinating scenario for Napier’s future. “Here’s what could happen—Napier continues calling plays, keeps his circle tight, and runs a fairly insular program. But Lagway is just that good. Florida improves this year, maybe make the playoff, maybe not, but shows enough progress to keep Napier afloat. Then, in Lagway’s final season, they make the playoffs, maybe win big,” he said. As of now, will Napier’s strategy pay off, or will it all come crashing down? It will be worth seeing.

But Andy had a blunt response to the scenario. “At that point, Napier is getting an extension, and we still won’t know if it was him or Lagway,” he stated. And it’s the ultimate coaching dilemma. Is success a product of great leadership, or just having a superstar QB? If Napier wins, does he get the credit—or does Lagway? Let’s see what happens in 2025.