Billy Napier Reportedly Fired by Florida amid $21M Contract Buyout, 22-23 in 4 Seasons

The University of Florida reportedly fired football head coach Billy Napier on Sunday, per Chris Vannini of The Athletic.

Florida will owe Napier a buyout of more than $21 million after this move, per multiple sources:

Receivers coach Billy Gonzales will reportedly take over as the interim coach for the remainder of the season, per Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.

The Gators hired Napier in Nov. 2021, signing the former Louisiana head coach to a seven-year, $51.8 million contract. That deal included a buyout for 85 percent of the remaining compensation on his deal.

Napier previously enjoyed great success with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, amassing a 40–12 record in four seasons (and 33-5 from 2019-2021).

Louisiana went 22-2 over its final two seasons (15-1 in Sun Belt), finishing 15th in the Associated Press poll in 2020 and 16th in 2021. The Ragin’ Cajuns had never won 10 games in a season before Napier’s arrival, nor had they finished Top 25 in the AP poll.

Napier took over a Florida program from head coach Dan Mullen, who had found success over his first two seasons (21-5 record, top seven finishes in both polls). However, Florida fell to 8-4 before going 6-7 in 2021, and the school parted ways with him.

Napier was not able to find much success in Gainesville. The 2022 Gators matched the 2021 squad’s record but fell to 5-7 the following year.

There was some hope in 2024, with the Gators improving to 8-4 and even winning their final four games, including a 24-17 against No. 9 Ole Miss.

The 2025 season began with the Gators at No. 15 in the AP poll, but Florida struggled. After a 55-0 win over Division I-FCS LIU, Florida suffered a massive home upset to South Florida, 18-16. The Gators then fell 20-10 at No. 3 LSU and 26-7 at No. 4 Miami.

The Gators showcased their talents in a 29-21 win over No. 9 Texas, but then they were outmatched at Texas A&M, falling 34-17 to go to 2-4.

One day later, Pete Nakos of On 3 reported, per his sources, that the bye week after the Oct. 18 game against Mississippi State “looms large as the possible point where Florida moves on Napier.”

However, Nakos also noted how hard Florida Gators have played for him.

“Despite all the rumors about Billy Napier’s future at Florida, his players continue to play hard for him,” Nakos wrote. “Athletic director Scott Stricklin has shown patience, not making a quick move on Napier after the USF loss.”

That prediction ended up being accurate, as not even Saturday’s win over the Bulldogs was enough to save his job.

Ultimately, the results simply weren’t good enough, and now Florida is left turning the page once more. Since the end of the Urban Meyer era (2005-2010), when the team won two national championships, the team has had four different head coaches, and none have made it through four full seasons. The Gators hope their next coach can finally bring stability and success to the program.

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