He was just about the hottest coach in the 2022 cycle.
But it never worked for Billy Napier at Florida, which fired its fourth-year coach Sunday afternoon.
Though Napier’s Gators slogged their way past Mississippi State Saturday afternoon at Florida’s homecoming, they are still just 3-4 on the season and entering their final open week before a grueling November gauntlet that includes games against Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
Three of those four teams entered this weekend ranked in the nation’s top-11 in its polls and the Bulldogs, Rebels and Volunteers had clearly separated themselves from Florida’s program since Napier’s arrival, when he was hired to replace the fired Dan Mullen.
A Cookeville, Tennessee, native who starred at Furman as quarterback before he embarked on a coaching career that included mentors such as Alabama’s Nick Saban and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Napier earned the Florida job with his work at Louisiana. There, Napier guided the Cajuns to a 40-12 mark in four seasons, the last three of which all featured 10 or more wins.
His teams there consistently punched above their weight, earning a national reputation as a tough out for Power Conference teams.
Given Florida’s ample resources and the largest staff in the history of Gators football, the outlook was bright in Gainesville, Florida, when Napier arrived. He had eventual NFL Draft first-round pick Anthony Richardson at quarterback, but the athletic but inconsistent Richardson battled injuries.
Florida landed DJ Lagway as its next prized quarterback, a prospect whom the Gators fended off multiple national suitors — including SEC rivals — to sign via a lucrative Name, Image and Likeness deal. Lagway also has battled injuries and inconsistencies.
Napier is owed approximately $21 million on the remaining portion of his Florida deal. Initially, Napier was signed to the Gators on a six-year pact worth approximately $42 million when he accepted the job — a challenge Napier tackled after he previously had been very selective and withdrew from consideration for other Power Conference posts, including at one point being the leading candidate for the Auburn Tigers opening.
Sources told FootballScoop Sunday that Florida had a staff meeting at 1 p.m., at which point the coaches and support personnel for formally notified of Napier’s dismissal.
A team meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Additionally, sources told FootballScoop that Billy Gonzales — who has a dozen years’ experience as a Florida assistant on four different coaching staffs — is expected to serve as Florida’s interim head coach for the season’s final month.
Update >> Florida has formally announced the decision, with athletic director Scott Stricklin adding: “The standards and expectations for Gators football are to win championships—not simply to compete. We exist to win, and will not settle for less.”