The 2024 season witnessed a bullet passing closely by Billy Napier’s ears. But it finally hit him in 2025. The Florida Gators have found another Billy for the rest of the season. They have handed an interim role to Billy Gonzales. The universe had other plans even before the Gators could hit a comeback under their new leader. As they gear up for the Cocktail Party, their next big contest against the Georgia Bulldogs on November 1, the “out” bench of players overflows with absentees.

On October 29, Florida beat writer Nick de la Torre dropped the initial injury report. The first thing to notice is Florida’s struggles because of the disparity between the two teams. Kirby Smart’s squad only has four players on the “out” list. And Florida’s? Double the number. Yes, Gonzales cannot count on eight players. So, which Gators players will remain on the sidelines for the Georgia face-off?

RB Treyaun Webb, WR Vernell Brown III, EDGE LJ McCray, WR Aidan Mizell, DB Aaron Gates, RB Ja’Kobi Jackson, DB Dijon Johnson, and DL Caleb Banks. The ones whose future hangs in the balance as they sit on the questionable bench are RB Duke Clark and DB Javion Toombs. On the injured list of players, Florida fans must be most concerned about them moving into the Cocktail Party without their lead receiver, Brown III.

Standing 5’11” and weighing 178 pounds, Brown has been one of the few sparks on a Florida offense struggling to put up points, just 17 per game against FBS foes. He leads Florida in both receptions (32) and yards (451) while serving as the team’s punt returner. But the good times do not seem to roll for long. He suffered a shoulder injury in Florida’s 23-21 homecoming win over Mississippi State, but early signs suggested it’s nothing long-term. 

The Gators will probably call on redshirt sophomore Eugene Wilson III to fill the void in the slot and at punt returner. Wilson has had a quiet year, posting 18 grabs for 118 yards across five games. Joining Brown is Gators redshirt sophomore Mizell, who suffered an apparent lower-body injury against Mississippi State and donned a boot.

Injuries have limited him to just four appearances this season, keeping him in a rotational role. Fans expect Florida to stick with its reliable Dallas Wilson and J. Michael Sturdivant duo. That’s what Gonzales received as a welcome gift as he came up with an urgent plea. 

Florida Gators interim head coach keeps things sharp with players

Gonzales is back for his third stint at the Gainesville camp, having first set foot on campus under Urban Meyer in 2005. He also served under Dan Mullen in 2018 and came back again when Napier asked in 2023. As Florida braces for a brutal finish, Gonzales sets his sights on the biggest prize of all – a win over Georgia. They head into Saturday’s clash with the No. 5 Bulldogs, hoping to snap a four-year drought in the storied rivalry.

However, the interim head coach keeps things tight. “I’ve been asked to oversee the program right now by Mr. Stricklin,” Gonzales said. “I always told him, ‘We are doing this together as a staff. It’s us working together. It’s us working with our players.’ Always will be, and I take great pride in that.” Meanwhile, the feeling is totally different for Florida’s interim head coach.

In a presser, he was asked whether anybody had stopped him in public. “Nobody knows who I am. That hasn’t changed,” came Gonzales’ reply. So, the humor lies in his humility. Most head coaches get swarmed by fans or reporters in public, but Gonzales is poking fun at himself by saying he’s still flying under the radar. So, to make things easier for him, here came some advice from the Gators legend. 

NFL superstar and the Florida superstar, Brandon Spikes, took to X and wrote, “Much love to @CoachBillyG, a true Gator who has coached at @GatorsFB for years, even during my time, and worked with legends like Percy Harvin, OBJ, KToney, and Ricky Pearsall. So listen up, Gator players, STAY THE COURSE! Don’t get played by portal predators.”

Not just Spikes. As soon as Florida confirmed Billy Gonzales as the interim head coach, he first called his former coach, Urban Meyer. The two crossed paths at Colorado State when Gonzales played under Meyer. “Don’t you dare take a shot at the previous thing, and stay completely away from that,” came his old mentor’s advice.

Can the Gators serve their interim coach a first-time toast to remember by running the table at the Cocktail Party?