Billy Napier Seems To Have Reportedly Been Pre-Fired After a Meeting of Florida Decision Makers This Week

USA TODAY — Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin met with a handful of influential boosters Tuesday, and was told continuing financial support depends on new direction within the football program, three people with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect the ongoing process, said embattled Florida coach Billy Napier could be fired as soon as this weekend. One thing is certain: Napier won't survive another loss.

It has been universally considered a matter of when, rather than if, Billy Napier Will be fired at Florida since the Gators lost at home to USF early in the season, but it seems like a decision may have been reached regardless of what happens in Saturday's game against Mississippi State.

Florida has a bye week following this weekend's contest with the Bulldogs, so it does make sense in terms of timing to get rid of Napier then if you're going to do it. But if I was Napier, I'd be in Scott Stricklin's office today demanding to be fired by sundown if you've already decided I'm gone. I understand firing your head football coach on Wednesday ahead of a game is likely not a recipe for success, but the rest of this season doesn't really matter for Florida anyway and you've already leaked to the media that Napier's employment likely has the shelf life of a loaf of bread.

Ironically, it was former Florida AD Jeremy Foley who famously said of firing coaches, "What must be done eventually should be done immediately." Everyone knows Napier is a dead man walking, but if you've already made the actual, official decision that he's been fired, then fire him. I might actually be rooting for Florida to go out there and beat Mississippi State by 30 just to make the decision to wait until Sunday look that much dumber.

If and when the Florida job comes open, though, it will become the best job on the market and should have no shortage of elite suitors. This coaching carousel is going to be awesome.