CBS Sports names Mario Cristobal, Billy Napier as most likely to win big later in jobs

College football programs in Florida have seen better days in the past, as most of their top programs are in a bit of a low. However, according to a recent article from the team over at CBS Sports, there are two schools from the Sunshine State that they believe we’ll find the most long-term success. They believe newly-acquired Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier and Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal are the most likely to win big later on.

Firstly, here’s how they see things playing out for Cristobal in Miami.

“There’s an argument that Cristobal carries ACC Coastal championship expectations in Year 1,” wrote Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports. “However, that’s not “win big” status when you consider the perceived gap between the Hurricanes and Clemson, even as the Tigers look to rebound in 2022 after failing to win the ACC for the first time since 2014.”

The ACC is up for grabs this season, more so than in recent history. Last year’s conference champion, the Pittsburgh Panthers, lost Heisman hopeful quarterback Kenny Pickett to the NFL. And Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver Jordan Addison is now a USC Trojan. On top of that, the conference’s powerhouse, the Clemson Tigers, are hoping to recuperate from last year’s atrocious season by their standards. With Cristobal bringing his high-powered offensive mind and pairing it with young talented quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, the Hurricanes have a legitimate chance at winning the ACC.

How Florida and Napier fare in the SEC

As for Napier at Florida, his road starts with the challenge of chasing down two of the biggest juggernauts in college football, who also happen to be SEC rivals in the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs.

“Florida, similarly, will require a process to chase down Alabama and Georgia in the SEC and get back to contending for championships and College Football Playoff spots. The process will include building out depth and player development, stacking strong recruiting classes and getting on-field results this fall that build confidence in the program’s future.”

Unlike Miami, both of Florida’s direct challengers to the top of the SEC are very much intact with Alabama and Georgia. Not only that, but Jimbo Fisher has Texas A&M poised to make a resurgence this year after hauling in the nation’s best recruiting class in 2022. Florida looks to have the bigger uphill battle of the two programs, but it is not out of the realm of possibility given the program’s capability to recruit elite talent in their state.

Overall the message for fans of Florida football is simple, the best course of action right now is to play the long game. And with these two programs, they are in the perfect position to succeed doing so with crystal ball and Napier at their respective helms.

But the good news for Miami and Florida fans is that there is plenty to suggest that Cristobal and Napier are the right coaches to lead those programs back to big-time success. Both have made impressive investments in their coaches and support staff, quickly making their impact felt long before the first snap of competitive football. If those investments pay off, then we should see both of these proud programs back in the mix for championships in the coming years.