Tim Tebow explains 'really important' reasons for why Florida opted to retain Billy Napier

Florida made quite the statement to end this week with a supportive effort behind Billy Napier as head coach of the Gators. Tim Tebow believes that was the right message in the end too considering what’s going on down in Gainesville.

Tebow made his points on Napier staying in The Swamp for the foreseeable future while on ‘The Paul Finebaum Show’ on Friday. He likes the decision by Florida as, if nothing else, it’s a conclusive one that answers any questions about his job security over the final month of this season.

“I think that’s – you know, you’ve either got to make a decision. You’ve got to be decisive. You’ve got to make a decision to say, you know, he’s not right for the team or make a decision to say he’s our guy,” Tebow explained. “They made a decisive decision and I believe in that. I think that’s good so that you can have confidence. You instill that in the team, you instill it in the players and you also instill that in recruits and their families.”

That’s the other aspect of it for Tebow. Firing Napier would undo his recent work on the recruiting trail. After bringing in the No. 13 class in 2023 and No. 10 class in 2024, his replacement would have to re-recruit the upcoming classes in 2025 and 2026 and, with that, they might be even further behind than some think the current staff may be now.

“I think one of the things that you mentioned that’s really important is recruiting. Billy has done a really good job in going after some really good recruits,” said Tebow. “If you get rid of him now, you have to look at this recruiting cycle? It’s done. It’s really hard to come back from that.”

Florida has also been noticeably better on the field over the last month and a half. A 1-2 start had this set up as a when question rather than an if one regarding Napier’s future. Since then, though, the Gators are 3-2 with wins over UCF and Kentucky along with a close overtime loss at Tennessee and a solid effort in an eventual loss last weekend to Georgia.

Florida could certainly finish at .500 or worse again under Napier with how their schedule still closes. Even so, the team’s progression over this season has obviously been a positive one.

“I think one of the things, to his credit? You mentioned this as well – but how much better this team has gotten throughout the season,” said Tebow. “They’re playing hard, they’re playing better. They’re improving, not just in how they show up every week but also their fundamentals. Their fundamentals are getting better. It’s a more physical team. It’s a more urgent team.”

Napier will still likely enter next season with plenty of pressure despite these developments. With that said, Florida chose and that alone made it a good choice to Tebow.