Running off at the typewriter. …
If the reports are true — that Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin met with a group of influential boosters on Tuesday, and they demanded change in exchange for continued financial support — then the Gators may be on the verge of making a rash decision that has more to do with pressure than principle.
According to USA Today, some of those boosters made it clear that they want a “new direction” for the program, and that coach Billy Napier could be fired as soon as this weekend. Maybe that happens if Florida loses to Mississippi State on homecoming. But if the Gators win — and Stricklin still pulls the plug — that would be a serious mistake.
Now, let’s be fair. Stricklin has shown more patience than most athletic directors would. He’s stood by Napier for three seasons, through disappointing records, blowout losses, close losses and a restless fan base. He’s resisted the booster noise before. That loyalty should count for something.
But firing Napier after a win would make it look like the boosters finally got their way — not that Stricklin made a thoughtful decision in the program’s best interest. It would tell everyone, from the players to the recruits, that what happens on the field doesn’t matter anymore because the decision was already made in a boardroom earlier in the week.
If the Gators lose to Mississippi State – a lesser program that Florida should beat at home – that’s a different story. At that point, you couldn’t justify keeping Napier. But if Florida wins? What’s the rush? There’s no midseason coaching search happening on Sunday morning. Lane Kiffin isn’t leaving Ole Miss this week. Curt Cignetti isn’t taking calls until Indiana’s season is over.
And it’s not like the team has quit on Napier. The Gators have been in every game into the fourth quarter. Three of their four losses have come against top-five opponents. They’re at least fighting — even though quarterback DJ Lagway, obviously unhealthy, has shown no ability as a dual-threat quarterback and lumbers in the pocket like he’s wearing 50-pound ankle weights.
Then there’s the financial side. Napier’s buyout is around $21 million, with half due within 30 days. That’s an enormous check to write if there’s still even a remote chance he can right the ship. What if he wins Saturday and somehow gets this team on a roll and runs the table, beating Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee and FSU along the way? I realize that’s about as likely as finding a polite argument on Twitter. But what if it did? Then you know what happens? The fans are excited again, Lagway’s probably playing lights out and UF saves $21 million in buyout money.
Firing Napier after a loss is understandable. Firing him after a win feels reactionary. It tells the locker room the season’s over and the boosters are running the show.
Stricklin has shown backbone and patience for three years. If Florida beats Mississippi State, he should show both for one more week and let the results — not the donors — decide Napier’s fate.
Short stuff: If you haven’t seen Baker Mayfield’s amazing run from last week, YouTube it because it is what sports are all about. Up 20-19 early in the fourth quarter, Mayfield’s Tampa Bay Bucs faced a third-and-14 at their 41, and Mayfield ducked away from a sack in the pocket, escaped another defender, scrambled out of trouble, eluded more tackles and dove headfirst, stretching the ball to get a first down. That wasn’t a scramble; it was a statement. … Meanwhile, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is getting universally lambasted for calling out some of his teammates after yet another Dolphins’ loss last week, saying they were showing up late or not showing up at all for player-only meetings. Hey, I guess Tua really is a dual-threat quarterback. He throws shade almost as well as he throws interceptions. … Good for almost the entire Pentagon press corps, including Fox News, for turning in their access badges and leaving the building because they refuse to abide by a new policy in which Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is trying to dictate how they cover the military. Do we live in the United States of America or the Divided States of Government Approved News Coverage? Scary times. …
I’m not saying Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is scared to go over the middle, but his internal GPS says, “‘recalculating” every time he runs a slant. … If only I’d picked up Rico Dowdle from the waiver wire when I had the chance. I hate fantasy football, especially since I’m starting Kenneth Gainwell at running back this week. … How bad are the New York Jets? So bad that Fireman Ed’s headgear has filed a civil lawsuit claiming emotional damage. … Still can’t believe Penn State fired James Franklin and are buying out his contract for $50 million. For college football coaches, getting fired isn’t a punishment; it’s a business plan!… Coach John Harbaugh actually believes his 1-5 Baltimore Ravens team can still make the playoffs. I guess they could — but only if he tears a page out of brother Jim’s playbook and hires Connor Stalions, who was prominent in Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal.
Mikey likes: Mississippi State over Florida by 3 in Bye-Bye Billy Upset Special, UCF over West Virginia by 14, FSU over Stanford by 10, Miami over Louisville by 12, Rams over Jags by 5, Dolphins over Browns by ½, Lions over Bucs by 7, Federal Government over Freedom of the Press by whatever the Secretary of War says.
Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on social media @BianchiWrites and listen to my new radio show “Game On” every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen
