# Gators Interim Dishes on Decision to Bench DJ Lagway

# Gators Interim Dishes on Decision to Bench DJ Lagway
By ESPN College Football Insider – November 9, 2025

In a development that has sent shockwaves through Gainesville, Florida interim head coach Rob Sale has spoken out for the first time about his controversial decision to bench freshman sensation DJ Lagway during the Florida Gators’ 34-17 loss to Ole Miss last weekend.

For many fans, it was an unthinkable move — taking off the helmet of a player once hailed as the future of the program, the five-star quarterback who had electrified the Swamp with flashes of brilliance earlier this season. But for Sale, who took over the program after Billy Napier’s sudden departure two weeks ago, the decision was about one thing: accountability.

“It Wasn’t Personal — It Was About Standards”

In his first media availability since the game, Sale addressed the situation with an unflinching tone.

“It wasn’t personal,” Sale said. “DJ’s a great kid. Tremendous athlete. But in this program, everyone is held to the same standard — whether you’re a walk-on or a five-star. We needed better execution, better leadership, and in that moment, I felt a change was necessary.”

Lagway, who had completed just 8 of 20 passes for 97 yards and thrown two interceptions before being pulled late in the third quarter, appeared visibly frustrated as he walked to the sideline. Cameras caught him tossing his helmet and sitting in silence as backup quarterback Graham Mertz took over the huddle.

The decision, however, wasn’t made in the heat of the moment. Sale revealed that he and offensive coordinator Russ Callaway had discussed the possibility of benching Lagway during halftime after reviewing first-half film.

“We told DJ at halftime that we needed to protect the football and stay composed,” Sale explained. “When the same mistakes kept happening — forcing throws into double coverage, missing open reads — we had to make the tough call. It’s not easy, but leadership sometimes means making unpopular decisions.”

A Message to the Locker Room

The move, according to several team insiders, wasn’t just about Lagway’s performance on the field — it was about reasserting control over a locker room that had grown tense following the team’s recent turmoil.

Florida’s season has been defined by chaos. Napier’s abrupt exit for a $95 million deal elsewhere left players and coaches scrambling. Sale, the former offensive line coach, inherited a fractured team trying to rediscover its identity.

“The guys needed to see that we’re still running a football program with structure,” one assistant coach told ESPN anonymously. “When you bench your starting quarterback, it sends a message — nobody’s bigger than the team.”

Indeed, several veterans in the locker room reportedly applauded the decision. Linebacker Shemar James said after practice on Tuesday that the move “lit a fire under the team.”

“Coach Sale made it clear that the Gator logo comes before any one player,” James said. “DJ’s our brother, we’ve got his back — but we also understand why Coach did what he did. It reminded all of us that we have to earn every rep.”

Lagway’s Response: “I’ll Learn From It”

To his credit, Lagway handled the postgame spotlight with maturity beyond his years. Speaking to reporters on the field, he didn’t shy away from accountability.

“I didn’t play my best football tonight,” Lagway admitted. “I made mistakes that hurt my team. I respect Coach Sale’s decision. I’ve got to go back, study the film, and get better. That’s what being a quarterback is all about.”

Sources close to Lagway say he spent extra hours in the film room early Sunday morning, breaking down his reads and footwork with offensive staff. His teammates noticed.

“DJ’s been the first one in and last one out this week,” tight end Arlis Boardingham said. “He’s hungry. He’s taking this as motivation, not as a setback.”

Sale echoed that sentiment, saying Lagway’s response has been “everything you’d hope for from a young leader.”

“He didn’t pout. He didn’t blame anyone,” Sale said. “He came to me and asked what he could do better. That tells you everything you need to know about the kid.”

What Comes Next for the Gators?

With Florida sitting at 5-4, bowl eligibility remains within reach, but the next few weeks will define the direction of the program. Sale confirmed that the quarterback competition is “open” heading into next weekend’s matchup against Missouri, but made it clear that Lagway remains a central part of Florida’s future.

“Let’s make no mistake — DJ Lagway is the future of Gator football,” Sale said. “But right now, my job is to help him grow. Sometimes that means pulling him out of the fire so he can learn to handle the heat later.”

Analysts across the college football world have weighed in, with many defending Sale’s decision. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit noted on “College GameDay” that benching a young quarterback can be “a turning point, not a punishment.”

“You don’t want to crush confidence,” Herbstreit said. “But you also have to develop resilience. Some of the greatest quarterbacks in history got benched before they became stars.”

The Bigger Picture

For now, the Gator faithful are divided — some calling for Lagway to be reinstated immediately, others praising Sale for demanding accountability. But amid the noise, one truth stands firm: the Florida program is trying to rediscover its toughness and discipline.

Whether this moment becomes a stumbling block or a launching pad for Lagway’s career remains to be seen. But inside the walls of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the message is clear.

“We’re building something bigger than one player,” Sale concluded. “And DJ’s going to be a big part of it — just not without learning what it truly means to be a Gator.”

As the sun sets on another dramatic week in Gainesville, the Florida Gators find themselves at a crossroads — balancing the promise of their young quarterback with the urgency of a season on the brink. One thing’s for certain: DJ Lagway’s benching may have been a moment of pain, but it could very well be the moment that shapes his greatness.