Fire or Not Fire? Ohio State, Florida Keep Coaches to Lead College Football Paradigm Change
In the ever-evolving world of college football, program success is often tied to the leadership at the helm. Coaches play a crucial role in shaping the identity of their teams, developing talent, and adapting to changing trends in the sport. As the game continues to evolve—driven by factors like NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, the transfer portal, and expanded playoff formats—college football powerhouses like Ohio State and Florida have faced critical decisions about the future of their programs. The burning question for both programs has become: Fire or not fire?
At the heart of these discussions are two highly regarded coaches: Ryan Day at Ohio State and Billy Napier at Florida. Both have led their respective programs through significant changes, but as expectations grow and pressures mount, their future as head coaches has been called into question. In this article, we’ll examine the performance and potential of both programs, analyzing whether these coaches should be fired or kept in place to lead their teams into the next phase of college football.
Ohio State and Ryan Day: A Successor to Urban Meyer
For the Ohio State Buckeyes, Ryan Day took over as head coach in 2019 after the legendary Urban Meyer stepped down following a string of successful seasons, including a National Championship win in 2014. Under Meyer, Ohio State solidified its place as a perennial powerhouse in college football, regularly competing for Big Ten titles and national championships. Day, who served as Meyer’s offensive coordinator, seemed like the natural successor to continue the program’s winning ways.
From the moment Day took over, he brought an exciting offensive philosophy to Ohio State. His ability to develop quarterbacks, most notably Justin Fields, played a major role in the team’s success. Fields led Ohio State to a National Championship appearance in 2021, where they lost to Alabama in a hard-fought game. Despite the loss, it was clear that Day’s system worked, and his tenure was off to a promising start.
However, as is often the case with elite programs, the bar for success is incredibly high, and the pressure to win only intensifies with each passing season. In recent years, while Ohio State has consistently been one of the top teams in college football, they have faced some setbacks in high-stakes games, particularly in College Football Playoff (CFP) appearances. In 2022, Ohio State fell just short against rival Michigan in a game that many saw as a must-win. In addition, the Buckeyes were eliminated from the playoff contention in both 2022 and 2023 after losing close games to top-tier opponents.
This raises the question: Does Ryan Day need to be fired?
Why Ryan Day Should Stay
Despite some setbacks, Ryan Day’s record at Ohio State remains impressive. He has posted a winning record of 45-5 through his first five seasons, a remarkable achievement in the world of college football. Under Day’s leadership, the Buckeyes have continued to recruit at a high level, consistently landing top-tier talent. Ohio State has been a fixture in the College Football Playoff discussion each year, and they’ve developed some of the top offensive and defensive players in the country. Day’s ability to recruit top talent is one of the major reasons Ohio State has stayed at the top of the college football hierarchy.
The Buckeyes have a dynamic offense led by stars like Marvin Harrison Jr., one of the best wide receivers in college football, and TreVeyon Henderson, an explosive running back. Defensively, the team has been solid, but they have faced questions about their ability to compete with the top SEC teams. That said, Day’s recruiting prowess and ability to develop players cannot be ignored.
Additionally, Day’s leadership style resonates with the players. He has demonstrated a commitment to building a positive, supportive environment for his team, while also fostering a culture of excellence. His coaching philosophy is modern and adaptable, a necessity in an age where college football is constantly changing. With the new changes to the CFP format, the increasing presence of the transfer portal, and the growing influence of NIL deals, Day is the type of coach who can evolve with the sport.
In the end, the margin for error in college football is incredibly thin. Ohio State is still one of the best programs in the country under Day’s leadership, and firing him after just a few disappointing seasons might be premature. Day has shown enough promise and success to warrant continued confidence and support from both the administration and fans alike.
Florida and Billy Napier: A Program in Transition
Over at the University of Florida, Billy Napier is navigating a very different landscape. When Napier was hired in 2021 after the departure of Dan Mullen, the Gators were coming off a roller-coaster period under Mullen. Florida had briefly returned to the top of college football under Mullen’s leadership but faltered towards the end of his tenure. Napier, who previously served as the head coach at Louisiana, was brought in to restore Florida’s status as one of the elite programs in the SEC.
Napier’s tenure has been marked by a culture shift as much as anything else. He’s worked hard to establish a new identity for Florida, focusing on discipline, accountability, and player development. However, in his first two seasons, the Gators have had a mixed performance on the field. While Florida managed to pull off a few exciting wins in 2022, they also experienced significant losses to Tennessee, Georgia, and other top-tier programs in the SEC. The Gators’ overall performance has not lived up to the lofty expectations many had when Napier first took over.
Should Billy Napier Be Fired?
Firing a coach after only two seasons is always a contentious issue. In Napier’s case, the Gators are clearly in the midst of a rebuilding phase. Florida has not been a true contender in the SEC for several years, and Napier’s task of resurrecting the program is a difficult one. While his recruiting efforts have been solid, and he has shown potential as a recruiter, the team’s on-field results have left something to be desired.
The question surrounding Napier’s future is not just about his record, but also about the long-term trajectory of the program. Florida has one of the most passionate fan bases in college football, and expectations are always sky-high. Given the ever-increasing talent pool in the SEC, keeping up with programs like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU is no easy task. Napier has had to navigate a recruiting landscape that includes NIL, the transfer portal, and intense competition from in-state rivals like Miami and Florida State.
Despite these challenges, firing Napier at this stage would be short-sighted. Florida needs stability and time to implement its vision. Napier’s emphasis on developing players, creating a winning culture, and building a solid foundation will take time to bear fruit. His recruiting class in 2024 has been solid, and the Gators have made strides in some key areas. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and college football programs like Florida need to give their coaches the chance to succeed over the long term.
The Changing Landscape of College Football: Pressure on Coaches
For both Ryan Day and Billy Napier, the pressure to succeed is immense. College football is changing rapidly, with new playoff formats, NIL deals, and a greater emphasis on recruiting. In this new environment, the expectations for coaches are higher than ever before. Day has the luxury of inheriting a well-established program at Ohio State, but Napier faces an uphill battle at Florida, trying to return a once-great program to its former glory.
Both coaches are well-regarded in the coaching community and have demonstrated the ability to recruit and develop talent. However, given the heightened expectations, the question of whether they will be able to lead their teams to national championships remains open. For Ohio State, Day has the program on the brink of greatness, while Florida is still in the process of rebuilding. Both programs need continuity and stability to thrive in the new era of college football.
Conclusion: Fire or Not Fire?
In the case of Ryan Day, the answer seems clear: not fire. Despite some recent setbacks, Day has proven himself as one of the top coaches in college football. Ohio State remains a dominant force, and the program is in a strong position for continued success. A few tough seasons should not overshadow the bigger picture of Day’s accomplishments.
For Billy Napier and Florida, the answer is more nuanced. While there have been growing pains, Napier deserves more time to implement his vision and rebuild the program. The challenges he faces in the SEC are immense, but firing him after just two seasons would be premature. Not firing Napier is the sensible choice, as Florida needs stability and time to return to its former glory.
In both cases, fire or not fire should be based on a broader understanding of the long-term trajectory of each program. Both Ohio State and Florida are in the midst of critical periods in their respective histories, and the decision to retain or dismiss these coaches should be made with an eye toward future success.
