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Florida Retains Coach Napier, Avoids $26M Buyout Amid Criticism

Nov 7, 2024, 04:06 PM

Florida's athletic director Scott Stricklin announced that head football coach Billy Napier will return for the 2025 season. Despite a tumultuous season marked by a 15-18 record, mounting injuries—including a hobbled DJ Lagway potentially leading to the use of a third-string walk-on quarterback—and increasing outside criticism, the university has expressed confidence in Napier's ability to lead the program forward. Stricklin stated, "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." The decision comes ahead of a challenging finish to the season, with upcoming games against Texas, Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida State—all top-20 teams. Additionally, the Gators aim to stabilize their recruiting efforts; the 2025 recruiting class currently ranks 39th nationally with only 11 commitments, five of which are from the ESPN 300. By committing to Napier now, Florida hopes to boost recruiting in the final weeks of the cycle and provide security before the transfer portal season. Napier's buyout would have been over $26 million, the second-largest in college football history, had the university decided to part ways.