Not Lane Kiffin, but Florida Gators' Billy Napier tried to hire Ole Miss OC

Sep 21, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. watches during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. watches during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

While the Florida fans were busy lobbying Lane Kiffin as Billy Napier's replacement, the Gators made a quiet move to get another Rebels coach on board this past offseason: Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.

According to Matt Hayes of USA Today, Napier tried to salvage his reputation and his program following Sean Stricklin's vote of confidence in 2024 by planning to get a renewed grip on his offense. The best possible solution to save himself the humiliation of getting fired in 2025 seemed hiring a top-tier offensive coordinator.

One of his candidates was Ole Miss OC Charlie Weis Jr., who he couldn't convince.

"Napier tried to hire Ole Miss offensive coordinator and play caller Charlie Weis Jr., before the 2024 season, two different people with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. But Weis decided to stay with Rebels coach Lane Kiffin, and Napier never made another serious run at an offensive coordinator," Hayes wrote.

Ever since, Weis Jr. has orchestrated an offense that has outdone itself in every way at Ole Miss this season. Becoming one of their best strengths, Weis Jr.'s offense has quickly established itself as one of the best in the SEC.

Meanwhile in Gainesville, Napier has continued his series of ugly losses and has "lost in every way imaginable," as Hayes puts it. The embarrassing stretch started with a loss against South Florida, and continued with equally bad losses in LSU, Miami and Texas A&M, and another one on their home ground against Texas.

"Now Napier is 21-23 into his fourth season, and has the worst coaching record at Florida since the 1940s," Hayes stated.

Napier is walking on a razor's edge with the Florida head coach role, and with three crucial games against conference opponents like Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee still remaining, Stricklin's patience would be wearing thin if Napier doesn't give him anything soon.

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