By Michael GallagherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberFormer Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier has sat back and watched some of the top head-coaching vacancies in college football get filled fast.
Lane Kiffin is now at LSU, Alex Golesh was hired at Auburn, Ryan Silverfield jumped from Memphis to Arkansas, Oklahoma State hired Eric Morris from North Texas, and Virginia Tech hired former Penn State HC James Franklin.
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And Napier also watched former Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall replace him in Gainesville.
But in a weird twist of fate, it’s possible Napier could end up thanking Sumrall for his next job, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos.
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“A lot of names have popped up to this point of the search,” Nakos wrote. “Former Florida coach Billy Napier, Oregon co-defensive coordinator Chris Hampton, LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker, Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, FIU’s Willie Simmons and Southern Miss’ Charles Huff, among others. Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is also a name of note in the search and wants the job.”
Tulane is set to play North Texas — another school Napier had been linked to before deciding on former West Virginia head coach Neal Brown — in the AAC conference championship game.
Napier had a 22-23 record in three-and-a-half seasons with Florida. Despite his underwhelming win percentage, he flourished at a smaller school. In four seasons with Louisiana, Napier compiled a 40-12 record with two bowl wins and three years of 10 or more wins.
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