The Florida Gators are on the hunt for their next head coach following the recent dismissal of Billy Napier, who the school owes approximately $21 million on his buyout, according to CBS Sports.
Napier amassed a 22-23 overall record after taking over as Florida’s head coach before the 2022 season. The former Louisiana program leader was fired after the Gators’ 3-4 start to their 2025 college football campaign, including losses to USF, LSU, Miami and Texas A&M.
Several names have been floated as possible replacements for Napier, including Florida football legend Tim Tebow.
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During an appearance on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Saturday morning, Tebow dismissed all rumors connecting him to the head coaching job at his alma mater.
“You’ve got to find someone that can galvanize the fan base and and bring Gator Nation back to where they want to go and back to where they’ve been,” Tebow said, via On3 Sports. “I also think it’s really important to understand that they’re not that far away. This is a Florida team that has a really good defense and a very talented offense.
“… This cupboard is not bare, but you have to find someone that can really, galvanize, and also keep these players in a time where it’s so easy to leave and transfer — and they have an opportunity to do that.”
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Tebow is a two-time national champion with Florida, leading the Gators to BCS national championship titles in 2006 and 2008. The 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback finished his collegiate career with 9,285 passing yards, 88 passing touchdowns, 2,947 rushing yards and 57 rushing touchdowns.
Tebow was led by legendary college football coach Urban Meyer over the course of his career in Gainesville.
“You need to find the next right coach that can inspire Gator Nation, keep these players and then bring in some more of them,” Tebow continued. “Because this is a team that is very talented, offense, defense, special teams.
“They’re not that far away, but they’re going to need to find the next great leader. They’re going to find that person soon.”
Under interim head coach Billy Gonzales, Florida will look to get its season back on track with a difficult matchup against the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 1.
