Florida Fires Former Alabama Assistant Coach

GAINESVILLE, FL. - The Florida Gators have become the second SEC team to fire its coach midseason, and may not be the last. Following the Gators' 23-21 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, On3 Sports reports that Florida has fired Billy Napier.

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Napier, a 46-year-old from Cookeville, Tennessee, was the Gators' head coach from 2022-2025, accumulating a 22-23 record through his first four seasons. The Gators, who started the season 3-4, owe Napier $21 million based on his buyout numbers. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, half of the number is due within the first 30 days of his firing. Additionally, he is not subject to offset or mitigation, so Florida owes Napier the full $21 million.

Before his time at Florida, Napier coached the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, a Sun Belt team. From 2018-2021, Napier and the Cajuns won four Sun Belt West titles and two Sun Belt titles. He was also an assistant coach at Alabama in 2011 as an offensive analyst, and from 2013 to 2016 as Saban's assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.

During his time with the Crimson Tide, Napier won three SEC championships (2014-2016) and two national championships (2011, 2015).

Napeir marks the second SEC coach who has been fired this season, with Arkansas firing Sam Pittman after a 56-13 loss to Notre Dame in week five.

Napier may not be the last one, with South Carolina's Shane Beamer and Auburn's Hugh Freeze also on the hot seats at this point in the season.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.