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Scott Stricklin is bailing on an upcoming media obligation following Florida’s blowout loss to Miami in the 2024 season opener. That move has sparked speculation surrounding his future and the future of the Gators football program.
Florida fell at home to its rival in a 41-17 shellacking on Saturday. It wasn’t the start the team had hoped for as it looks to best last season’s 5-7 output.
Head coach Billy Napier entered Year 3 on the hot seat after posting losing seasons in each of the last two campaigns. Making things worse, the Gators boast arguably the most difficult schedule in the country, potentially setting the head coach for another failing season.
The Gators got the first taste of what could be a long season in that most recent rivalry beatdown, which already has fans calling for the jobs of Florida’s coach and AD.
Scott Stricklin hired Napier after firing Dan Mullen in 2021. Mullen, who’d led the Gators to an SEC title game appearance and produced a pair of 10-win seasons, was rumored to have one foot out the door prior to that firing.
Napier was brought in with much optimism following a successful stint at Louisiana, but to this point, the program seems to be going further south.
That’s led to speculation about the future. Whispers grew louder on Monday.
Scott Stricklin cancelled a podcast appearance.
The athletic director was set to talk with Pat Dooley on his Dooley Noted show this Thursday. Following the unwanted result in Week 1, he bailed.
“I’m not sure who the Thursday guest is,” the host said.
“It was going to be Scott Stricklin, and he has asked for a rain check. I’m not going to say anything about that. I assume there must be something going on – team meetings or something. I’m hoping he’s not ducking me because I’m going to ask tough questions.”
Many are hoping this means the wheels are already in motion for someone to be fired – whether that’s Stricklin or Napier. Most Gator fans, at this point, probably don’t want to see Stricklin make another hire.
It’s probably wishful thinking this early in the season, though.
Dooley’s comment on ducking tough questions is a legitimate concern. Just last week, Stricklin was heard saying he expects Napier to be the coach at Florida “for a long, long time.”
“I really believe Billy Napier is going to be the coach at Florida for a long, long time.”
Scott Stricklin says patience with the Gators under Billy Napier will be rewarded: pic.twitter.com/c8trlykrOR
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) August 30, 2024
That prediction took a major hit after the season opening loss to Miami.
We’ll see if Billy Napier can turn things around in Week 2 vs. Samford. If the ship isn’t righted by season’s end, it could be the end of the line for both Napier and Stricklin.