Billy Napier Still Feeling the Heat: Lands at No. 11 on CBS Sports’ Latest Hot Seat Rankings
GAINESVILLE, FL – Despite a promising finish to the 2024 season, Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier remains firmly on the hot seat, according to CBS Sports’ recently released 2025 College Football Hot Seat Rankings. Napier, with a grade of 3.67 out of 5 (where 5 is “win or be fired”), is tied for 11th nationally and among the top coaches under pressure in the SEC.
This ranking places Napier in the “pressure is mounting” category, a slight improvement from his 4.0 grade entering the 2024 season, but still a clear indicator that a strong 2025 campaign is crucial for his job security. His current record with the Gators stands at 19-19 (.500) through three seasons.
The Gators’ 2024 season concluded with an 8-5 record, including a four-game winning streak that featured upset victories over then-No. 22 LSU and No. 9 Ole Miss, and a Gasparilla Bowl triumph over Tulane. This late-season surge provided a much-needed boost for Napier, who had faced increasing scrutiny after back-to-back losing seasons.
However, the CBS Sports analysts evidently believe that the momentum from the end of 2024 isn’t enough to fully alleviate the pressure. With a challenging 2025 schedule ahead and the development of second-year quarterback DJ Lagway, the expectation in Gainesville is for the Gators to make a significant leap and contend for an SEC title.
Napier’s 3.67 rating puts him in the same tier as Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell. Within the SEC, coaches like Oklahoma’s Brent Venables (4.67), Arkansas’ Sam Pittman (4.22), and Auburn’s Hugh Freeze (4.22) currently sit on hotter seats.
The 2025 season is widely seen as a pivotal one for Billy Napier. While he avoided the “dead man walking” category, the warmness of his seat underscores the high expectations at a program like Florida and the need for consistent on-field success.
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