Where Does Napier Rank Among SEC Coaches?
- Matthew Quartararo
- Jul 9, 2023
- 2 min read
On Thursday, CBS Sports released a ranking for SEC head coaches. As expected, following a 6-7 season in his first year at the helm, Billy Napier did not rank well.
The Florida coach came in ranked as the No. 11 SEC coach, dropping two positions after being ranked No. 9 last season. He was also ranked as the No. 43 coach nationally.
Ranking towards the bottom of the SEC is no easy pill for Napier, or Gators fans, to swallow. But is it deserved?
For now, it is. Napier had a successful run at Louisiana, going 40-12 over the course of four seasons. Not to mention, four Sun Belt West Division titles, four bowl appearances, and a Sun Belt Conference Championship in 2021.
There is a lot of potential there, to say the least. But, there were immediate questions after he was hired about how he would make the transition to the SEC. After year one, many would be quick to write him off and say that he can't coach at college football's top level.
However, as is the case with almost all collegiate coaches, at least those who do not inherit a championship-caliber team, he needs some time. Napier is yet to field a team truly recruited by him and his staff. This 2023 roster will be the first real glimpse into what a "Napier Team" looks like.
When examining the roster that Napier inherited last season, it's clear why Mullen was let go. The roster was a culmination of Mullen and even Jim McElwain's inability to recruit at a level needed to compete in the SEC. Even with some glimmer of success here and there within each coach's tenure, there was not enough consistency from either coach on the recruiting trail to consistently compete at the level Florida is accustomed to.
Despite no more athletes in the program from the McElwain era, there was a "domino effect" of sorts that trickled down into the hand that Napier has been dealt. That is one of the main reasons for his ranking at No. 11.
Moving forward, Napier now has the opportunity to prove the doubters wrong with a roster of his own. He has already made more noise on the recruiting trail than Gator fans have seen in a long, long time, but it is time to answer the call on the field.
Florida is forced to replace several starters this upcoming season, including the No. 4 overall pick in Anthony Richardson. It will be a tall task for Napier to fill those voids and still take a step in the right direction, but the pieces may be there to see more success in year two of the Napier Era.
CBS Sports SEC Head Coach Rankings
No. 1: Nick Saban, Alabama (No. 1 Overall)
No. 2: Kirby Smart, Georgia (No. 2 Overall)
No. 3: Brian Kelly, LSU (No. 6 Overall)
No. 4: Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss (No. 14 Overall)
No. 5: Josh Heupel, Tennessee (No. 16 Overall)
No. 6: Mark Stoops, Kentucky (No. 18 Overall)
No. 7: Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M (No. 20 Overall)
No. 8: Hugh Freeze, Auburn (No. 26 Overall)
No. 9: Shane Beamer, South Carolina (No. 40 Overall)
No. 10: Sam Pittman, Arkansas (No. 42 Overall)
No. 11: Billy Napier, Florida (No. 43 Overall)
No. 12: Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri (No. 51 Overall)
No. 13: Clark Lea, Vanderbilt (No. 56 Overall)
No. 14: Zach Arnett, Mississippi State (No. 68 Overall)
Let’s not forget. While Mullen and McElwain were bringing in mediocre talent. The rest of the SEC was dominating. LSU and Kelly are proof enough of that. You could have a top 10 class but still be at the bottom of the conference. Give Napier time. There are several coaches on this list, ahead of Napier, I don’t agree with.
Richardson’s number 4 selection by the Indianapolis Colts is cited repeatedly in the preseason media mags and rags, as replacing Anthony is perceived as Napier’s toughest challenge. It’s instead probably his easiest. All of us were wowed by our QB’s amazing talent while painfully aware of his inexperience. Graham Mertz’s skill in hitting receivers in stride and reading defenses will be a welcome step forward. Meantime, all the indicators seem in place, pointing up for Coach Napier’s program. As we wins more and more games his ranking will climb significantly. Meantime, we’ll also be cheering for Gator good guy Ant Richardson to fulfill his potential. Greatness awaits.