Bruce Feldman: A favorite has emerged in the Florida coaching search

There has been a lot of speculation in recent weeks about who will replace Dan Mullen as the head coach of the Florida Gators. According to Bruce Feldman, a favorite might be emerging in Florida’s coaching search.

Feldman said on Fox Big Noon Kickoff that Louisiana head coach Billy Napier is the favorite at this point to become the next head coach of the Gators.

“One coach I do expect to move is Louisiana’s Billy Napier,” Feldman said on Fox Big Noon Kickoff. “He’s done a terrific job in the Sun Belt. He has emerged as a favorite for the Florida vacancy, I’m told.”

Napier has worked as an assistant under Dabo Swinney and Nick Saban in his career. He also has experience at Colorado State, Florida State, South Carolina State, and Arizona State. Over the past four seasons at Louisiana, Napier has led the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 38-12 overall record. Louisiana has three consecutive bowl appearances, and this season will extend that streak to four. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 10-1 this season.

Feldman: Napier’s SEC experience is valuable to teams like Florida

Since Napier has worked in the SEC before under Nick Saban, he has that valuable experience that not every other coaching candidate has. Earlier in the week, Feldman reported that Napier was emerging as a candidate for Florida in the Gators’ coaching search.

“Billy Napier has done a really good job in Lafayette,” Feldman said. “He’s been in the mix for some other jobs that he’s kind of backed out of interest or opportunities at some really good Power 5 jobs in past years. So here is Florida sitting out there open now. And I think what’s the differentiator right now for him and why these schools are more interested in Billy Napier than they are (Coastal Carolina coach) Jamie Chadwell. I think in talking to some industry sources even going back to last year, Billy Napier has been in the SEC. He spent a lot of time there, worked under Nick Saban.”

Joel Klatt of Fox Sports also predicted that Napier would be hired as Florida’s next head coach. While the jump from the Sun Belt to the SEC would be a big one, Napier is still a strong candidate. His experience in the SEC as an assistant could offset those concerns.