Billy Napier has been relieved of his duties as head football coach of the Florida Gators after a 3‑4 start to the 2025 season and a four‑year run that ended with a 22‑23 record.
Athletic director Scott Stricklin made the announcement on Sunday, following Florida’s narrow 23‑21 win over Mississippi State. Despite that victory, the decision to move on from Napier reflects a broader dissatisfaction with his results in Gainesville.
Napier took the reins of the Gators ahead of the 2022 season, stepping into one of college football’s most pressure‑packed jobs. His tenure included back‑to‑back Top‑10 recruiting classes and some bowl success, but it never translated into sustained performance in the SEC. That shortfall was a key factor in Florida’s decision.
With the coaching change now official, Florida will turn immediately to an interim coach while launching a full search for its next leader. The search may not have much impact on the Big 12, though, as is life with an elite coach; it’s safe to say that at some point, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham will probably show up in the search.
The Gators now face the task of stabilizing the program as the 2025 schedule continues, and they seek to regain the momentum expected of one of the sport’s historic brands.
