Florida fires football coach Billy Napier

The Florida Gators’ big win over the Texas Longhorns wasn’t enough to salvage the rest of Billy Napier’s tenure as head coach of the football team.

Florida fired Napier on Sunday following the team’s 23-21 victory over Mississippi State, according to multiple reports. Florida committed two turnovers and was penalized seven times for 60 yards.

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Florida head coach Billy Napier walks on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The Gators’ performance didn’t seem to inspire confidence in athletic director Scott Stricklin. Gators fans booed Napier as he ran off the field.

Napier was 22-23 in four seasons as the Gators’ head coach, including 12-16 against SEC opponents. He was 5-17 against ranked opponents, including 0-14 on the road. He refused to give up his play-calling duties despite calls to do so.

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A fan carries a bag that says “Fire Billy Napier” over his head during the second half of the game between the Florida Gators and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Oct. 18, 2025. (Matt Pendleton/Image Images.)

Florida hired Napier after he revived the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns program. He led Louisiana to three seasons of at least 10 wins. The team went 12-1 in 2021.

He joined the Gators in 2022 after the Dan Mullen era came to an end. He went 6-7 in his first season and never won more than eight games.

The Gators began the 2025 season with a 55-0 victory over Long Island. But they followed that up with a two-point loss to South Florida and a blowout against LSU and Miami. The Gators beat Texas and Arch Manning, but fell to Texas A&M last week.

Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby, left, and Florida head coach Billy Napier greet each other before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Receivers coach Billy Gonzales is expected to be named interim head coach.

The News contributed to this report.

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