Florida retains Napier for 2025 season
Billy Napier will remain head coach of Florida's football team for the 2025 season, athletic director Scott Stricklin announced Thursday.
"I am confident that Billy will meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. We will work alongside him to support any changes needed to elevate Gator football," Stricklin said in a statement.
The Gators are 4-4 this season. Napier's posted a 15-18 record across three seasons at Florida.
Florida hasn't finished with a winning record since hiring Napier prior to the 2022 season. The 45-year-old head coach led Louisiana to a 40-12 record over four seasons from 2018-21.
The expected buyout for Napier's deal would have exceeded $26 million, coming in as the second-highest buyout in college football history after Texas A&M's $76-million total payout to Jimbo Fisher, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Florida has faced some sizable hurdles this season. Injuries have been an issue, especially at quarterback. Graham Mertz sustained a season-ending knee injury in October, and freshman DJ Lagway is questionable for this weekend's matchup versus Texas with a hamstring issue.
The Gators also face one of the toughest schedules in the country this season. Three of Florida's remaining four games are against teams in the top 20 of the CFP rankings.