Here was my leader board for head coach at the University of Florida football program in 2022. If we ignore recruiting, NIL, investors, infrastructure, and long term program building, Dan Mullen should have been retained as head coach. Billy Napier was the 6th best option in a perfect world, arguably the 2nd best in a realistic world behind Luke Fickell. Applying another level of realism, Fickell was never going to leave the Midwest, so Napier really was the best option. Imagine if Florida had hired Mel Tucker and then had to fire him due to the way he treated women at Michigan State. James Franklin seems to have lost his mojo as coach and recruiter. Lane Kiffin would have been an interesting choice. Mark Stoops would never have come to Florida.
Luke Fickell and Billy Napier are the only head coaches on the list with a better winning record than Dan Mullen.
Name | School | Salary, millions | Buyout, millions | Wins | Losses | Total Win % | Current School Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dan Mullen | Florida | $7.60 | $12.00 | 103 | 60 | 63.19% | 70.83% |
Mel Tucker | Michigan State | $6.00 | $6.00 | 16 | 13 | 55.17% | 64.71% |
James Franklin | Penn State | $5.50 | $4.00 | 90 | 47 | 65.69% | 67.35% |
Lane Kiffin | Ole Miss | $4.50 | $0.00 | 74 | 41 | 64.35% | 65.00% |
Mark Stoops | Kentucky | $5.00 | 1.75 | 56 | 63 | 47.06% | 47.06% |
Luke Fickell | Cincinnati | $3.40 | $4.00 | 51 | 21 | 70.83% | 76.27% |
Billy Napier | Louisiana | $2.00 | $3.00 | 37 | 12 | 75.51% | 75.51% |
Jeff Hafley | Boston College | $3.00 | $0.00 | 12 | 9 | 57.14% | 57.14% |
Jamey Chadwell | Coastal Carolina | $0.85 | $0.00 | 87 | 54 | 61.70% | 58.70% |
Jeff Lebby | Ole Miss offensive coordinator | $1.20 | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Joe Brady | Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator | $1.00 | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Luke Fickell and Billy Napier are the only head coaches on the list with a better winning record than Dan Mullen.