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Tennessee football: Ranking head coaches on Vols’ 2022 schedule

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart (left) and Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel (right) meet at midfield after the game at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart (left) and Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel (right) meet at midfield after the game at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida Gators head football coach Billy Napier talks with the media during a weekly press conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, in Gainesville, Feb. 11, 2022. Napier was asked about coaching hires, recruiting, his team preparation plans and also mentioned the Gators will begin Spring practice March 15.Flgai 02112022 Napierufpresser 01
Florida Gators head football coach Billy Napier talks with the media during a weekly press conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, in Gainesville, Feb. 11, 2022. Napier was asked about coaching hires, recruiting, his team preparation plans and also mentioned the Gators will begin Spring practice March 15.Flgai 02112022 Napierufpresser 01 /

Florida Gators. 1st season (5th overall). Billy Napier. 6. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 840. player

40-12 (All with Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns)

If Tennessee football doesn’t beat the Florida Gators this year, they never will. Florida is undergoing a coaching change and coming off a 6-7 season. There is no reason for the Vols not to win this matchup at home when they are at a much different place under Josh Heupel than UF is.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that Billy Napier is probably a great coach. Whenever coaches are hired at larger programs after success at smaller schools, that success usually involves a conference championship or two during their final two years there after a three-year or four-year run. Napier’s was on another level, though.

In four years with the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, Napier won four Sun Belt West Championships, and he won back to back Sun Belt Championships his final two years there. He never had a losing season, and he only lost one game each of his final two years, finishing in the top 20 of both polls both times.

Simply put, Napier has had a ton of success. Tennessee football fans might try to look at the Clemson Tigers firing him in 2010 as offensive coordinator, but that wouldn’t work since Josh Heupel was fired as the Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator in 2014. Since then, Napier’s seen a ton of success. His first year is the Vols’ best chance to beat hm.

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