The bettors are just crunching numbers. They have no appreciation for how the Gators can disappoint.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

Gators bank on investment in Billy Napier to pay big dividends down the line
By EDGAR THOMPSON
ORLANDO SENTINEL |
DEC 07, 2021

GAINESVILLE - Florida's new coach Billy Napier did not come cheaply, but nothing does anymore in big-time college football.

The price tag for head coaches, along with their assistants, support staffs, recruiting budgets and facility needs continues to rise at a rate that once appeared to be unsustainable.

"Apparently it is because we keep doing it," Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin said.

Contract buyouts once thought prohibitive are a no longer obstacles once a school sets its sights on someone's else coach.

Florida paid Louisiana just $3 million for the rights to hire Napier, but will be on the hook for a pile of cash if he fails with the Gators.

Napier's seven-year, $51.8 million deal guarantees him 85% of what he is owed if let go without cause. If Napier bolts, he has sliding buyout of $7 million before Dec. 31, 2022, with the figure declining each subsequent season.

"The market is what the market is, unfortunately," Stricklin said.
Those conversations have been never-ending in Gainesville.

Excluding Napier's buyout, Florida has spent around $37 million to jettison Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain and Dan Mullen, along with their assistants.

The Gators also reported $54.5 million in losses during the 2020-21 fiscal year due to the pandemic, a figure offset by a $51 million cash reserve and a $23 million infusion by the SEC to each school from future TV earnings.
The financial climate did not dissuade Stricklin.

After agreeing to pay Mullen $12 million upon his Nov. 21 firing, Stricklin sat down two days later with Napier, met his list of demands and offered him the job.

"This was two days before Thanksgiving," Stricklin recalls. "I said, 'We're going to have to have some more conversations, but I want you to know that my goal is for the net result of all these conversations is you're going to accept the head coaching position at the University of Florida.'

"He sat up and goes, 'Well, all right. Let's do it.'"

Conversations ensured to iron out details before Napier's hiring became official Nov. 28.

Napier sold a high-priced vision to an accommodating AD determined to return Florida football to the top of the SEC.

"I want to commend the administration for their willingness to invest in our vision to create an elite player experience here," Napier said.

Stricklin was set to deliver Napier a state-of-the-art standalone football facility scheduled to open in the spring and originally priced $85 million. Supply-chain issues and rising costs of materials could lead to overruns.

Stricklin then agreed to pay nearly $20 million in staff salary in 2022 - $7.1 million for Napier, $7.5 million for his 10 assistants and $5 million for his support staff of analysts and quality control coaches.

Napier said he planned "to hire an army of people," leading Stricklin to joke, "We might have to go build some barracks."

The space is available at the 142,000-square foot Heavener Football Training Center.

Meanwhile, the spigot of money seems never-ending.

Buyer's remorse also is inevitable. Stricklin hopes this is the case no longer at Florida.

"If Billy's as successful as I think he's going to be," Stricklin said, "we're never going to have to have a conversation about buyouts."

someone bump this thread up in 3 years when we are having conversations about Napier's buyouts.

The buyouts should be tied to performance. If you only win 10% of your games, you get 10% of the complete "without cause" buyout amount. That might add some motivation. I think we're seeing a lot of head coaches just phoning it in to secure their retirement.

TRUST ME ..... big time colleges themselves DO NOT pay these exorbitant "buy outs" ...... big time booster/donors do.

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"Most people would die sooner than think; in fact, they do." - Bertrand Russell


"Morality is doing what is right, regardless of what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, regardless of what is right.


If I do not answer you .... nothing personal, I just have you on ignore.

Ticketmaster is reporting the Gasparilla Bowl is SOLD OUT.

Makes sense; I'd guess they're doing most of the head coach selection as well.

Slightly off topic, but I bet the Jags wish they had an influential booster club:
Here is what's protecting Urban Meyer right now: the Jaguars owe him a ton of money

Meyer's Nixonian ability to dig a deeper hole. <-- nice bit of sport's writing!

I had high hopes when Meyer came to UF. They were quickly dashed when I saw what a self-serving person he was and, despite all his high-minded rhetoric, how little integrity he had. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Trouble in Paradise!

It's UCF's superbowl, yada yada yada...prepare to lose gators...

Just some smack talk pre-game. Should be an entertaining game regardless who sits out and who wins or loses. Vegas still has the Gators favored even with the opt-outs. I'm looking forward to an epic tailgate party and hopefully the UCF party continues after the game. Otherwise, its a long drive home for me.


Gators to be without players galore vs. UCF in Gasparilla Bowl
https://www.majorwager.com/gat...0_uinx6ijawFgjSjWatxjQ

Still some good memories

I was a student for all of the Zook years, and my last full year in Gainesville was in 05 during Meyer's first year. It felt good to finally beat Tennessee and see it in person, and didn't realize we were going to do that more often after that. Also blew out the Noles at home.

Quarterback Emory Jones, a redshirt junior, will leave Florida Gators, enter football transfer portal

FYI, Napiers ex team Ragin Cajuns finished the season 13-1 by beating Marshall in the bowl game 36-21

Big news out of yesterday's Gasparilla Bowl Presser is that UCF RB Isaiah Bowser is playing in this game. He is really a difference maker for UCF. I'm expecting a closer game with him in the game as he will tire out the Gator defense and then our speed backs can take over in 2nd half. (knock on wood) I really don't know how the game will go but hoping for an exciting game between UCF and the Gators. Look for me in the stands! I'll be the one with a UCF shirt on. ??. Thursday Night, Dec 23rd. 7pm. ESPN.


From article link below:
"UCF is 3-0 when Bowser touches the ball at least 20 times. He missed the Knights' final three contests, but Malzahn confirmed the running back's availability Monday.

"Bowser's doing good; he'll play," Malzahn said. "It was really good for him to have the time off. He's practiced extremely well, and obviously everybody knows he's a big factor for our offense."

Lake Wales' Johnny Richardson stepped up in Bowser's absence and offers a speedy change-of-pace option to the mix. The 5-foot-7, 170-pound sophomore averaged 6.9 yards per carry across 101 attempts, No. 2 among all qualified AAC runners.

https://www.gainesville.com/st...yers-watch/6241992001/

I am cultivating enough apathy to avoid any disappointment if the Gators lose. Again. I am busting myself with rationalizations, justifications and distractions.

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

Both teams could lose this game. That is why it's gonna be fun to be there!

As a long time UCF fan I can handle losing. Question is, can the gator fans handle it?

Tailgatin' gonna be fun regardless and weather nice and cool.

Twas the night before Gasparilla Bowl
When all through social media
Not a person was smack talking, not even a gator
The players have opted out and coaches fired
In hopes they don't get injured and make it to the NFL

The fans were nestled in their Black & Gold, and Orange & Blue
While visions of Florida football champions danced in their heads;
And Gus Malzhan in his visor so tight, may throw it down with Spurrier's might
to figure out how to beat the Mighty Gators coached by Who?

Hoping for a great game tonight. See ya'll in Tampa Stadium...

It is the last Friday before the holiday break begins, with five minutes to go until dismissal. The teacher asks her fifth-graders, "What are you looking forward to most about winter break?"

Hands shoot into the air.

One boy says visiting his grandma. A girl says she is going on a cruise with cousins. Then it is time for a boy in the back of the room to answer.

"I'm going to the Gasparilla Bowl between UCF and UF!"

Pandemonium ensues, as the students scream wildly about the game. Another girl chimes in and says she is going with her grandparents, but it might be weird because she is a UCF fan and they are Gators fans.

https://www.espn.com/college-f...pated-games-postseason

Well now

I bow down before the mighty Knights.

The outcome became determined when I bet my daughter a case of La Croix with the score tied. After rooting for the Gators since the 60s I know better - never, never, ever, under any circumstances, bet on the Gators. And, yet...