SI Article: What Record in 2025 is Good Enough For Napier, Florida Gators?

10 plus wins and playoffs- build him a statue
9 wins - great job, very happy
8 wins - good job, happy
7 wins - ok, not happy or mad (given the schedule I can live with it)
6 wins - not good, but can give him another chance if we were always competitive
5 wins or less - sharpen the pitchforks

 

16 - 0 or Electric Chair.

 

I think this would be close to Stricklin’s thinking. I’m sure he wants improvement like everyone but I think there is still some leash there given the way he is building the team.

 

I don’t think it’s a number that will determine it. Are there improvements and is there obvious growth? If the answer to those questions are “yes” and he still has the locker room behind him then he’ll be here next year.

 

I think anything under 8-4 would be a disappointment unless Lagway doesn’t start and finish all 12 games. I don’t think Stricklin would fire Napier going into what would be Lagways final year unless the season is a catastrophe. He is recruiting well & has built an organization where the kids wanna stay. Under 8-4, he would be on the hot seat for 2026. I just don’t see more than 3-4 losses this year. Good chance 10-2!!! Go Gators!!!

 

I’m sure the administration will be happy with 8 wins and beat there chest about the schedule. Truth is when you have a DJ Lagway that’s your window. Anything less than playoffs will be failure and not making it is just another example of him not being the right guy. Jmo

 

9-3 or better is within reach if we keep Lagway and the O-line healthy. If we can keep most of our starters healthy I like what we have in overall talent. From the QB and the O-line to the Running back and receivers...and a decent group of tight-ends, I think we have enough on offense to take that next step in scoring.

The same thing goes with the defense. And I expect that unit to get even better than they were last year. Statistically last year they were okay, not great, but they have the DC with one more year and all that talent coming back (with insane, young, new talent) to make a huge jump in improvement.

If all goes well... I think 10-2 is very doable.

 

8-4 is the over under to me. Any coach should expect to finish where his talent is compared to the competition. We can all debate who has the more talented team but just straight recruiting ranking cuts all bias. By those numbers, what would be our record, 8-4? Possibly 7-5?

 

I think anything less than 10-2 would be disappointing. 9-3 with a trip to the playoffs should be the floor.

 

7 or less and I think Stricklin may have to pull the trigger. 7 RS then his team sits out, gives up, looks in disarray in a bowl would be damning. We could talk about what he inherited but to lose 5 regular season fourth year is a poor look, with or without DJ. It would mean we likely lose to 5 of miami, texas, LSU, A&M, georgia, tennessee, ole miss. That's hollow. What he and Stricklin need are some signature wins. It will be especially difficult for Stricklin if poor game coaching is obvious in losses. He has to win 3 of the seven ^^^, kentucky, fsu to get 7.

That said, I'm expecting 8-9 wins on the season. I know we are all hoping Callaway is in control and adds some strength to our offense inside the 20.

 

Anyone hoping for that is wasting their time. It’s very obvious Billy will be calling plays. If you’re hoping for Callaway to get the play sheet waste your time hoping for something else.

 

If he goes 6-6, he should be toast.

 

I can't believe you went their.

 

Depends on the kind of losses as well, close game and 3-4 losses is ok, if we have our asses handed to us repeatedly, like finding ourselves down 42-0, 20-0, and 38-10, then burn it down.

 

DJ wil or wont improve inside the 20. Great qbs get it done for every coach they ever play for. Callaway can coach him and call the right plays, but DJ still has to execute.

 

Forgot about English class apologies. It’s fixed, point stands though if you would like to comment on that part.

 

So like, the QB has to throw the right pass to the right receiver? Good to know. Thank you.

 

It's fine if Callaway has Napier's play sheet but I would hope for more. I would think an OC 64th in scoring previous two seasons would welcome some ideas. We are trying to respect and appreciate the guy. He need to help us with that. That's my opinion, so their!