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Latest update from Florida football coach Billy Napier’s Monday press conference
The Sun’s Kevin Brockway discusses key points from Florida football coach Billy Napier’s Monday media availability.
- Influential Florida boosters have told the athletic director that their financial support depends on a new direction for the football program.
- Head coach Billy Napier could be fired as soon as this weekend and will not survive another loss.
- If fired after the Texas A&M game, Florida would owe Napier a buyout of approximately $21.3 million.
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin met with a handful of influential boosters Tuesday, and was told continuing financial support depends on new direction within the football program, three people with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
The people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect the ongoing process, said embattled Florida coach Billy Napier could be fired as soon as this weekend. One thing is certain: Napier won’t survive another loss.
Stricklin declined comment for this story.
This, unlike other speculation about Napier’s job status, is an important and direct connection to last year’s near firing of Napier. It was then that the same Florida boosters were ready to pay Napier’s large buyout, but were held off by Stricklin and convinced to use that money in NIL space to help Napier’s buildout.
The boosters agreed, and the result was a significantly upgraded and talented team. Florida flipped five-star wide receiver Dallas Wilson – the most talented player on the team – from Oregon late in the recruiting process with the infusion of NIL cash.
That money also was used to keep numerous impact players already on the roster from leaving for other schools. The results on the field, however, have been the same.
Billy Napier buyout
Florida owes about $21.3 million to Billy Napier if it chooses to fire him the day after the Texas A&M game, according to his contract, which was obtained by USA TODAY Sports. The buyout total is dictated by his contract, which states Napier receives 85% of his annual compensation. For this contract year, which ends Jan. 31, 2026, that amount is $7.4 million. The number rises by $100,000 each year in his deal.
Napier’s contract expires Jan. 31, 2029. The first installment of his buyout, which is contracted to be worth 50% of what he is due, must be paid within 30 days of his firing. The remaining installments, each worth 12.5% of the total buyout, would be due July 15 each year until fully paid.
Here’s how those payments would break down if UF fires Napier on Oct. 12 (all values approximate):
- $10.7 million due Nov. 12, 2025
- $2.7 million due July 15, 2026
- $2.7 million due July 15, 2027
- $2.7 million due July 15, 2028
- $2.7 million due July 15, 2029
According to the contract, Napier has no duty to mitigate, and UF would not be offset from his future revenue.
Billy Napier contract details
- Length: 7 years
- Worth: $51.8 million
Billy Napier replaced Dan Mullen as Florida head coach on Nov. 28, 2021, signing a seven-year deal worth $51.8 million with an average annual value of $7.4 million. Mullen’s buyout cost Florida $12 million after UF fired him one year into a three-year extension meant to keep him around until 2026. He is due $1 million each year through 2027.
Napier had spent the previous four years building Louisiana into a Group of 5 contender, going 40-12 with an impressive 22-2 record over his last two seasons in Lafayette. He led the Ragin’ Cajuns to their first ever ranking, reaching as high as No. 15 in the AP poll.
Billy Napier record at Florida football
SEC record in parentheses:
- 2022: 6-7 (3-5)
- 2023: 5-7 (3-5)
- 2024: 8-5 (4-4)
- 2025: 2-4 (1-2)
- Overall: 21-23 (11-16)
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