Billy Napier fired as Florida pushes to reestablish program’s prominence (Ep. 304)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Release Date: 10/20/2025
Decisions, decisions … transfer portal madness arrives (Ep. 417)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
The transfer portal opens on Friday as new coach Jon Sumrall and his staff continue to construct the 2026 Gators. Attrition is already underway, highlighted by quarterback DJ Lagway’s departure. Many players reportedly intend to enter the portal, including receiver Tre Wilson. Others could follow, but continue to negotiate, led by tailback Jadan Baugh, receiver Dallas Wilson and edge rusher Jayden Woods. Meanwhile, rising stars, including linebacker Myles Graham and receiver Vernell Brown III, are back in the fold. The question then remains: Who’s headed to Gainesville? It’s a lot...
info_outline
DJ leaves Gators as Sumrall’s roster rebuild begins (Ep. 416)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway hits the transfer portal after a sophomore slump and slew of injuries left a new coaching staff wondering if the 20-year-old was worth the investment. Lagway’s exit is among many. But reinforcements are on the way as free agency in college football begins, even with the portal not set to open until Jan. 2. Meanwhile, Sumrall continues to build his staff even as he prepares Tulane for Saturday’s CFP matchup at Ole Miss. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss the Gators’ comings and goings. Gators dropping like flies (00:00) Where does DJ go?...
info_outline
Jon Sumrall hits ground running, did CFP committee stumble? (Ep. 415)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
New Florida football coach Jon Sumrall didn’t waste any time making his two biggest staff hires, culminating with Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. Sumrall made the moves while also coaching Tulane to the AAC title to earn a CFP bid and overseeing two recruiting classes. Sumrall’s multi-tasking and expediency is a change of pace to Billy Napier’s measured approach. The CFP selection committee’s methods came under fire after it revealed a 12-team field without Notre Dame. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar praise Sumrall’s alacrity...
info_outline
Jon Sumrall wins press conference, sets sites on restoring championship success (Ep. 314)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
UF introduced Jon Sumrall Monday to conclude a robust six-week search that targeted Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin before landing on Tulane’s up-and-coming coach. With Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer and Danny Wuerffel in attendance, Sumrall vowed to deliver wins, exciting offenses, hard-nosed defenses and impactful special teams. Along the way, the 43-year-old mixed passion, humor and plenty of energy to surely convince some skeptics with their hearts set on Kiffin to give Sumrall a chance. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar are clearly sold on Sumrall’s potential and presentation, while...
info_outline
Decision day for Lane Kiffin coming as Gators hope to get their man (Ep. 313)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has a decision to make. It can’t come soon enough for Florida fans, who hope the Gators’ top target to replace Billy Napier is heading to Gainesville. Kiffin will announce his decision Saturday, when Florida and Florida State will square off in the Swamp on Senior Day. A meeting of longtime rivals with plenty of bad blood between them will be overshadowed by Kiffin, who could decide to remain in Oxford or head to LSU to leave the Gators pivoting to their backup plan. As two fanbases brace to be left at the altar, Edgar and Mark discuss the dramatic days ahead...
info_outline
Pursuit of Lane Kiffin continues during Tennessee week (Ep. 312)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
The twist and turns of Florida’s coaching search continued as top target Lane Kiffin tried to stay the course at Ole Miss. The Rebels’ push for a CFP berth remained the focus for the 50-year-old amid the push for an answer about his coaching future. While Kiffin remains mum, Mark and Edgar have plenty to say during latest Swamp Things, including some thoughts on Saturday’s Tennessee game and Urban Meyer’s return to Gainesville. Fight for Lane Kiffin (00:00) College coaching search is flawed (8:12) Jon Sumerall (10:29) Kiffin shell game (12:30) Lincoln Riley (14:27) Eli Drinkwitz...
info_outline
Florida fights, but falls at Ole Miss … against the Gators' future coach? (Ep. 311)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Lane Kiffin Week ended in a loss, but Florida could have the last laugh and lure away the Ole Miss coach. Until then, the Gators’ season continues to spiral, despite their best efforts in Oxford. UF had the Rebels on the ropes, but another fourth-quarter collapse and DJ Lagway miscue ended in the Gators’ third consecutive defeat. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss what went wrong, but more importantly whether the Gators will get their man and land Kiffin. Kiffin to Gainesville, Baton Rouge? (0:00) Turning point (10:53) Thumbs-up (15:32) Thumbs-down (17:20)...
info_outline
Lane Trains picks up steam as Florida hits the road (Ep. 310)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
The Gators are bound for Ole Miss aiming to bounce back from a debacle at Kentucky as Lane Kiffin Week comes to a head. Fans would rather return from Oxford with a head coach than a win. UF might have to wait if Kiffin’s Rebels continue their push for a CFP berth. A Gators’ upset would accelerate the timetable as the 50-year-old decides whether he’ll stay or go. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark weigh the Gators’ chances as two-touchdown underdogs Saturday, but seeming favorites to land Kiffin. Gators playing for pride (00:00) Big audition for both sides of ball (3:23)...
info_outline
Florida collapses at Kentucky as Gators quit on season (Ep. 309)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
There are bad performances and tough days, and then there is what happened at Kentucky. A week after putting up a fight to nearly upset Georgia, the Gators were beaten down and eventually gave up during a 38-7 loss to the Wildcats. UF’s two trips to Lexington since Billy Napier’s arrival ended in lopsided losses by a combined score of 71-21 - a sign of how far the Florida program has fallen. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar hold their noses, try to make sense of what happened and wonder what’s left to play for in 2025. Bad losses and then what happened in Kentucky (00:00)...
info_outline
Florida seeks rare win at Kentucky, Gators’ hoops bounces back with a vengeance (Ep. 308)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators
Florida heads to Kentucky looking for its first win since 2019 in the Bluegrass State. The Gators nearly upset Georgia under interim coach Billy Gonzales a week ago. UF now has to summon the focus and energy in chilly conditions and on the road in a game pitting two struggling programs playing out the string. Meanwhile, Todd Golden’s reigning national champions took out their frustration on North Florida after a season-opening loss to Arizona. The biggest news of a 40-point win was the long-awaited debut of 7-9 Olivier Rioux, who made history as college basketball's tallest player ever....
info_outlineBilly Napier was let go as the Gators turned the page on a failed four-year tenure ending with a 22-23 record and on track for a third losing season. UF is banking on longtime receivers coach Billy Gonzales to inspire a talented roster and ignite a lackluster offense during the remaining five regular-season games. All eyes, though, are on who will replace Napier at season’s end, with Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin atop everyone’s wish list. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar weigh in on a decision everyone could see coming, how the Gators got here and what direction AD Scott Stricklin should go to resurrect an iconic program and brand picking up the pieces once again.
- Billy Napier on brand until the end (0:00)
- What Billy has built: Legacy good for UF (5:00)
- Transactional coaching in 2025 (8:12)
- Napier: ‘I love the game of football’ (10:31)
- Behind the scenes: Napier had an edge (13:28)
- AD Scott Stricklin: Napier’s decisions brought us here (15:35)
- Napier issue or talent issue? (20:22)
- Stricklin: Next person is taking keys to real kingdom (25:36)
- Interim coach Billy Gonzalez (28:04)
- Players’ thoughts (36:30)
- Who is the next coach and how much will he make?(42:05)
- Lane Kiffin next UF coach? (45:12)
- If not Kiffin, who? (48:32)
- Next coach MUST energize fanbase and donors (50:19)
- Coaching long shots: Nick Sabin, Jon Gruden (53:03)
- Timeline for hiring coach (55:22)
- Keep Gonzalez to keep players (59:22)