Tag: Billy Napier

Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks off the field after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Florida fires coach Billy Napier, names Billy Gonzales interim

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida has fired head coach Billy Napier in the midst of his fourth season in Gainesville, the school announced on Sunday.

In a statement from the athletic director, the school cited the team’s upcoming bye week as being reason to make the move now.

“Making this decision during the open date provides our team valuable time to regroup, refocus, and prepare for the challenges ahead,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin wrote. “The timing also allows us to conduct a thoughtful, thorough, and well-informed search for our next head coach. We remain fully committed to utilizing every resource available to identify the right leader to guide Gators Football into the future.”

Napier, 46, posted a 22-23 record during his time with the Gators.

“On behalf of Gator Nation, I want to sincerely thank Billy and his family for their tireless commitment to the Florida Gators,” Stricklin said. “Billy built a tremendous culture of accountability and growth among the young men he led each day. His organized and detailed approach had a meaningful impact across all levels of our program.

“As Coach Napier has often said, this is a results-driven business, and while his influence was positive, it ultimately did not translate into the level of success we expect on the field.”

Longtime receivers coach Billy Gonzales was tabbed to serve as the team’s interim coach.

“Coach Gonzales has been a valued member of our program for many years, including being a part of multiple championship teams,” Stricklin added. “He is a Gator through and through. His deep understanding of our culture, our student-athletes, and what it means to represent the University of Florida makes him well-suited to lead our team.”

Florida (3-4, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) will return from its bye to face rival Georgia on Nov. 1 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Napier’s last game was a win, as the Gators seized a 23-21 victory against Mississippi State on Saturday.

Florida entered the season ranked No. 15 before losses to South Florida, LSU, Miami and Texas A&M. The last three on that list were all ranked in the top 10 at the time.

Napier already was on the hot seat after compiling a 19-19 record in his first three seasons at Florida.

He has a 62-35 overall coaching record after posting a 40-12 mark with Louisiana (2018-21).

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks off the field after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Report: Florida could fire Billy Napier this weekend

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Florida head coach Billy Napier could be fired as soon as this weekend, Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday.

Athletic director Scott Stricklin met Tuesday with a group of “influential boosters” who told him that their continued financial support depends on a “new direction with the program,” according to the report.

The Gators (2-4, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) host Mississippi State (4-2, 0-2) on Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.

Florida entered the season ranked No. 15 before losses to South Florida, LSU, Miami and Texas A&M. The last three on that list were all ranked in the top 10 at the time.

Napier, 46, was already on the hot seat after compiling a 19-19 record in his first three seasons at Florida (2022-24).

Florida would reportedly owe Napier a buyout of more than $20 million if the school fires him without cause. He signed a seven-year, $51.8 million deal in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Aug 30, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators associate head coach for running backs Jabbar Juluke gestures towards Florida Gators tight end Tony Livingston (86) against the Long Island Sharks during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida associate coach suspended for role in pregame altercations

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Florida associate head coach Jabbar Juluke received a three-game suspension for his role in pregame scuffles between the Gators and LSU last weekend.

The punishment was jointly announced by the university and the Southeastern Conference on Tuesday.

Juluke, who also coaches Florida’s running backs, will miss contests at No. 6 Miami on Saturday, at home against No. 8 Texas on Oct. 4 and at No. 10 Texas A&M on Oct. 11.

“Jabbar Juluke’s conduct during the pregame altercation reflects behavior that is unacceptable and not aligned with the standards of the Southeastern Conference,” league commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “Coaches are expected to be leaders and to de-escalate tense situations, and that did not happen in this circumstance.”

The statement did not specify Juluke’s role in the altercations.

The SEC rivals engaged in a two separate dust-ups before the Tigers’ 20-10 victory in Baton Rouge, La.

Campus police had to intervene in the first series of shoving matches, after Florida players crossed onto LSU’s side of the field during pregame warm-ups. Then, several Gators players jogged around the area behind the LSU bench and players from both sides again came together.

“On Saturday, I reacted in a manner I’m not proud of,” Juluke said in a statement. “There’s no excuse for my behavior and I take full responsibility for my actions. In this game, emotional situations occur and bad reactions happen. I regret my reaction and commit to using this moment to strengthen my emotional intelligence.

“I know more is expected of us as coaches, and I commit to living up to that expectation. I believe growth is in ownership and learning from the good and the bad. I intend to use this situation as a teachable moment, not only for myself, but for those I impact. Again, I offer my sincerest apologies to both institutions and the staffs and families involved.”

Florida (1-2) has dropped back-to-back games versus South Florida and LSU, heaping pressure on Billy Napier, the Gators’ head coach. Napier brought Juluke with him from Louisiana, where they coached together from 2018-21.

Napier owns a 20-21 overall record in his fourth season in Gainesville. The team won its final four games in 2024 and was ranked No. 13 before falling 18-16 at home to unranked South Florida on Sept. 6.

“Coach Juluke’s actions prior to our game against LSU are not up to the standard of our program,” Napier said in a statement. “Coach Juluke is a man of character and has taken full responsibility for his actions. I believe Coach Juluke will learn from this experience and be better for it.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks with Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) against the South Florida Bulls during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

UF coach Billy Napier plans to remain offensive play-caller after USF upset

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Even while the sky seems to be falling in Gainesville, Florida head coach Billy Napier won’t be making any sweeping changes.

Two days after the Gators (1-1) were stunned in an 18-16 home loss to South Florida, Napier said in his weekly press conference Monday that he remains the offensive play-caller and has given no thought to turning that role over to anyone else.

Two games into the season without having faced any Power Four teams, UF ranks 68th nationally in yards per game (408.0) and 74th in yards per play (5.84).

In Saturday’s loss, the Gators allowed seven tackles for loss and scored just one touchdown with two field goals in three red-zone trips.

After an offseason of hype, UF quarterback DJ Lagway hasn’t gotten off to the best start to his sophomore campaign. He’s thrown for 342 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, but his 6.7 yards per pass attempt ranks 81st nationally among eligible QBs.

While things could improve going forward for the Gators after a slow offensive start, it’ll have to come against an incredibly brutal stretch of schedule.

Florida’s next three games are against teams currently ranked in the top seven, starting at No. 3 LSU on Saturday, at No. 5 Miami on Sept. 20 and home vs. No. 7 Texas on Oct. 4.

Eight of the Gators’ final 10 games are against teams currently ranked in the top 25.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) is congratulated by Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier after a series during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 19, 2024 against the Kentucky Wildcats. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Billy Napier: Gators ready for gauntlet schedule, can ‘compete with any team’

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Watching his basketball counterpart cut down the nets at the Alamodome was a moment of euphoria Billy Napier wouldn’t mind experiencing himself in January.

National championship might not have been on the Napier bingo card on Wednesday at SEC Media Days, but the embattled Florida coach didn’t mind leveling up the vision for the Gators in 2025.

“There’s a little something different in the air right now in Gainesville,” Napier said, referring to his team as a “special group.”

“This group believes in what we do. I think that’s where we really took a big step in the right direction last year is we found a level of confidence that we could go toe to toe with any team in the country any place, anytime.”

Napier said there’s in-house evidence the developmental process is working in overdrive. The Gators will be asked to present evidence he’s right with a gauntlet of a schedule that includes this six-game stretch: Sept. 13, at LSU, Sept. 20 at Miami, Oct. 4 vs. Texas, Oct. 11 at Texas A&M, Oct. 18 vs. Mississippi State and Nov. 1 vs. Georgia.

The Gators are counting on quarterback DJ Lagway to lift the offense after a breakout 2024 season.

“Just the competitor on game day is really unique. I think his ability to block out all the external factors and really get consumed with leading the team, playing winning football, executing,” Napier said of what makes Lagway a winner. “And we’ve built around the guy. There’s no question. Players want to play with DJ. We’ve built his class around that and certainly some of these guys that are in the rookie group were a part of that as well.”

Outside expectations are higher for Florida, but not many are starting their SEC Championship winner projections with Napier’s crew given the proven contender status of some of teams standing in the way. Napier’s coaching life cycle in Gainesville has advanced rapidly, even if not always in the direction he would like.

As Todd Golden and the Gators’ basketball team were starting the 2024-25 regular season in November as fringe contenders, Napier was being spared his job by athletic director Scott Stricklin.

At the time, Gator Nation was champing at the bit to have Stricklin swing the other way and take the reported offer from boosters to buy out Napier’s contract. Florida was 4-4 and still had Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and the Florida State rivalry game to get through.

Napier had reason to celebrate when the Gators finished 8-5 and 4-4 in the SEC, defying expectations for a nosedive or worse. He has a 19-19 record in three seasons in Gainesville.

In the process, Napier has a bit more support and a lot bigger expectations.

“I think the important part is what we expect from each other. I think we’ve learned that, right? I think it’s not only — not only do you need to block out noise, but it’s absolutely necessary that you do it,” Napier said. “So I think we’ve got to have high expectations for each other. We see each other every day. I think this is player to player; it’s coach to player, coach to coach, all parts of our organization.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin (left) and head coach Billy Napier talk before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida coach Billy Napier fighting doubts with enthusiasm

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Modeling enthusiasm in the face of adversity tops the agenda for Florida head coach Billy Napier, who admits he’s concerned about the mindset of younger players during the Gators’ difficult start to the 2024 season.

Florida lost to Texas A&M by 13 points last week in a game where the Aggies rushed for 310 yards and led 20-0 at half despite playing a freshman quarterback. The Gators have a 6-11 record against SEC opponents under Napier.

The “outside noise” has grown to include reports that Florida boosters have raised the funds to pay the $26 million buyout the university would owe Napier if he’s fired.

More was expected of Florida in Napier’s third season which includes six home losses. He said criticism and calls for replacing him as coach “come with the territory.”

In the face of the firestorm, Napier transitioned this week into part coach, part counselor.

“A wise coach once told me you need the right combination of humility and enthusiasm,” Napier said Wednesday. “Our ability to continue with the same enthusiasm independent of the result. … I think what you’re describing is part of the challenge. When you struggle a little bit, can you keep your head in the right place? Especially young people. We have to keep that same enthusiasm, that belief, that hope. I think that’s one of the keys to turning things around.”

Florida (1-2) visits Mississippi State on Saturday before a bye week. With a win, Napier believes the Gators can regroup with a home game against UCF and a visit to No. 6 Tennessee to start October.

Quarterback Graham Mertz said Napier took the blame for the team’s losses this season, but players don’t want to play for anyone else.

“Everybody knows that we can all do our jobs better,” Mertz said. “We’re all in this thing together.”

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks with a sidelines official during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 7, 2024 against the Samford Bulldogs. The Gators lead 14-0 at the half. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Report: Florida boosters raise money to buy out Billy Napier

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Florida boosters have put together enough money to buy out the contract of football coach Billy Napier, USA Today reported.

The Gators fell to 1-2 Saturday after their 33-20 home loss to Texas A&M in Gainesville, where home fans started to file out before the end of the third quarter.

Per USA Today, Florida would owe Napier approximately $26 million should they fire him. However, the number could be reduced because of an ongoing NCAA investigation into — and Napier’s role in — the recruitment of Jaden Rashada, according to the report.

The Gators lost their opener to rival Miami 41-17 before defeating FCS program Samford 45-7.

Dating to last season, Florida has lost seven straight games to power-conference opponents and has given up an average of 37.9 points per game and scored 24.9.

Florida hired Napier before the 2022 season, and he’s posted a 12-16 record.

Now 45, Napier was seen as a young, emerging coach after four seasons at Louisiana, where his teams were 40-12 and he was a two-time winner of Sun Belt Coach of the Year. His 2020 team ended the season ranked No. 15 in the nation, with the Ragin’ Cajuns finishing No. 16 the following season.

At Florida, Napier has posted records of 6-7 and 5-7 in the first two seasons, respectively, with 3-5 marks in the Southeastern Conference each season. Bowl-eligible in 2022, they lost 30-3 to Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier prepares to exit the tunnel with his team during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the first half. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Florida coach Billy Napier, Gators dealing with ‘consequence of errors’

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Florida head coach Billy Napier played in the FCS, and that’s only one small reason he’s staring directly at Samford and leaving the periphery among other distractions.

“We’ve had a couple days of practice, obviously players are anxious to get back on the field and get this taste out of our mouth. I do think we’ve had a good week,” Napier said.

Napier and Samford coach Chris Hatcher have known each other since Napier, a Georgia native who played at Furman, picked him up as a Clemson assistant before Hatcher spoke at a coaching clinic. Hatcher is in his 10th season at Samford and has a record of 178-100 in 24 total seasons as a coach, which includes time at Georgia Southern, Valdosta State and Murray State.

While he’s not concerned with his own team’s resilience, Napier said he does want to help zero in on focus areas as players fight their way through the letdown of the opening home loss to Miami.

Napier said it’s critical to “remain objective” after one game.

“It’s critical you shape the narrative to some degree,” Napier said. “Ultimately we’ve got to go prove it on the grass. We’ve got another opportunity this Saturday.”

Napier said coverage and pass rush didn’t work together as they should in the loss to Miami and he wants to see more discipline as it relates to penalties. The Gators had two critical flags in the first half that helped amplify the Hurricanes’ momentum.

“We’ve experienced the consequence of making errors when it comes to the margin of error when you play a really good opponent,” Napier said. “Give some credit to Miami. I thought the quarterback (Cam Ward) had a terrific day.”

–Field Level Media

Cajuns head coach Billy Napier on sideline as Louisiana Ragin Cajuns take on the Miami University Redhawks in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, AL. Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. Cajuns Miami Lending Tree Bowlv4 3582

Report: Florida to name Louisiana’s Billy Napier head coach

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Florida could name Louisiana’s Billy Napier as the Gators’ next head coach as early as Sunday, Yahoo Sports reported.

Napier has guided the Ragin’ Cajuns to an 11-1 record this season and owns a 39-12 record in four seasons there.

He would replace Dan Mullen, who was fired on Nov. 21 after leading the Gators to a 5-6 start.

Florida finished 6-6 and gained bowl eligibility Saturday with a 24-21 win against rival Florida State in Gainesville. Greg Knox served as the interim coach for the Gators.

Napier, 42, was the Sun Belt Conference’s Coach of the Year in 2019 and guided Louisiana to a conference title in 2020. The Ragin’ Cajuns will defend their title Saturday against Appalachian State.

Before taking over the program in Lafayette, La., Napier worked as an assistant coach at Arizona State, Alabama, South Carolina State, Colorado State and Clemson.

Mullen, 49, left Florida with a 34-15 record in four seasons. His Gators went to three New Year’s Six bowl games, winning two.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns head coach Billy Napier watches his team play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. The Ragin Cajuns beat the Cyclones 31 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Louisiana coach Napier tests positive for COVID-19

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Louisiana football coach Billy Napier tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating away from his family, the school announced Saturday.

The No. 24 Ragin’ Cajuns (7-1) aren’t playing this weekend. Their game against Central Arkansas, scheduled for Saturday, was canceled because of coronavirus-related issues in the Louisiana program.

The school said Napier began to exhibit symptoms on Wednesday and had two negative test results until a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken on Friday returned a positive result.

The team was scheduled to resume practice on Saturday after halting operations on Tuesday.

“Pending a successful recovery, Coach Napier will travel separately from the team to Monroe, Louisiana, for the Saturday, Nov. 28 game vs. ULM,” the school said in a statement.

Napier issued a statement of his own.

“I will be following all guidelines and recommendations set forth by our team medical staff and local public health officials,” said Napier, 41. “I am proud of how our student-athletes and staff have responded to this adversity. I challenge everyone, myself included, to adhere to all safety recommendations as we navigate this unprecedented time.”

Napier is in his third season with the Ragin’ Cajuns and has a 25-11 career record. His name has been mentioned in connection with the vacancy at South Carolina, which opened last weekend with the firing of Will Muschamp.

–Field Level Media