Kentucky is Undefeated Against Interim Head Coaches

For the first time in three decades, Florida is traveling to Kentucky in November. What’s even more unusual? The Gators are bringing an interim head coach.

Billy Napier was fired last month after compiling a 22-23 record over four seasons, including a 1-2 mark against Kentucky. You probably don’t know who replaced Napier to complete the season. It’s another Billy!

Billy Gonzales was the Gators’ wide receivers coach before earning the mid-season promotion to interim head coach. He’s spent 12 seasons in Gainesville over three different stints, returning ahead of the 2023 season.

Gonzales had the Gators ready to go off the bye week. Georgia was on the ropes in the World’s Greatest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Florida had two back-breaking moments in the fourth quarter. They were stuffed on a fourth and short in the red zone with a chance to go up two scores. On third down in the final minutes, DJ Lagway‘s long bomb was ruled incomplete when it just split his wide receiver’s outstretched arms and appeared to hit the turf.

Will we see a similar performance from Florida at Kentucky? If history repeats itself, it could be a fun night at Kroger Field.

Two Kentucky Blowouts Over an Interim Head Coach

Mark Stoops has served as the Grim Reaper for multiple head coaches. Steve Spurrier, Butch Jones, Ed Orgeron, and now Hugh Freeze were all relieved of their duties shortly after falling to Kentucky. However, the Cats have only played two games against teams with interim head coaches.

The most recent meeting was the final game of the Covid-plagued 2020 season. South Carolina fired Will Muschamp with three games left in the season. Mike Bobo, the current Georgia offensive coordinator, was the head coach on the sidelines for the regular season finale at Kroger Field. Kentucky did whatever it wanted against the Gamecocks. Chris Rodriguez and AJ Rose each surpassed 100 yards on the ground, while C-Rod punched in three touchdowns in a 41-18 victory.

The other meeting against an interim head coach marks one of the most amusing chapters of the Governor’s Cup rivalry. Lorenzo Ward replaced Bobby Petrino during the terrible 2-win 2018 season for the Cards. After receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, Ward told senior tight end Micky Crum his day was done. Crum refused to comply. AD Vince Tyra tried to help, and they even took away Crum’s helmet, but he eventually found his way back onto the football field.

Kentucky had 601 yards of total offense and Terry Wilson accounted for four touchdowns in the 56-10 win over the Cards.

things seem to be going marvelously at louisville pic.twitter.com/3c7uUMpH5a

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) November 25, 2018

Unlike the previous two meetings against interim head coaches, this Florida team does not appear to be willing to roll over. Lagway is surrounded by talented, young playmakers who can create explosive plays that instantly flip the momentum of the game. Kentucky must come ready to play on Saturday to secure a second straight win and Mark Stoops’ third victory over an interim head coach.