The Florida Gators are set to host Mississippi State on Saturday. It could be the last game before the Gators fire head coach Billy Napier.

More News: Florida Closing in on Decision to Fire Head Coach Billy Napier: Report

The timing of the firing would make sense for the Gators, who are entering their bye in Week 9. There was chatter following Florida’s 34-17 loss to Texas A&M in Week 7 that the program was ready to part ways with Napier. The season hasn’t gone as the Gators envisioned, as Napier’s squad has a 2-4 record and is 1-2 to begin SEC play.

College football Head coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators

More Football: Penn State Loses QB Drew Allar to Devastating Season-Ending Injury

Per Matt Hayes of USA Today, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin had a meeting with boosters on Tuesday. The boosters are requiring a change at head coach to continue financial support.

“Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin met with a handful of influential boosters Tuesday, and was told continuing financial support depends on new direction within the football program, three people with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports,” Hayes wrote.

“The people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect the ongoing process, said embattled Florida coach Billy Napier could be fired as soon as this weekend. One thing is certain: Napier won’t survive another loss.”

Napier, 46, is 21-23 overall and 11-16 in SEC play during his four seasons in Gainesville. He went 40-12 with Louisiana before taking the job at Florida, but he has not been able to have the same success with the Gators that he brought to the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Gators boosters were ready to move on from Napier after an 8-5 campaign in 2024, his first winning season with the program. However, Strickland was able to get boosters to agree to spend the money that would have gone to Napier’s buyout to help build the roster for 2025 through the NIL.

The increase in resources hasn’t been enough for Napier. The Gators lost three games in a row to South Florida, then-No. 3 LSU and then No. 4 Miami. Florida looked like it might be turning things around with an impressive 29-21 win over then-No. 9 Texas on Oct.4, but a decisive loss to Texas A&M in Week 7 has brought out the knives for his job.

Per USA Today, Napier’s buyout is expected to be $21 million.

For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.