Embattled Florida head coach Billy Napier had to get his team focused to play Mississippi State on Saturday amid speculation on his future with the program. The Gators defeated the Bulldogs 23-21 in Week 8 to improve to 3-4, but the crowd was not happy with the performance, chanting for Napier to be fired by halftime.
More News: LSU’s Brian Kelly Issues Serious Warning to Team Amid Calls for His Firing
Multiple reports last week indicated that Napier would be fired with a fifth loss this season, but there was speculation that the team could make the decision to fire him regardless of the outcome Saturday.
With the bye in Week 9, Florida would give an intern head coach two weeks to prepare to play No. 9 Georgia at home on Nov. 1.
More News: Wisconsin AD Made Decision on Luke Fickell Clear to Players
Per On3, the Gators fired Napier on Sunday.
The Gators began the season ranked No. 15, but quickly fell out of the rankings after losing 18-16 at home to Southern Florida in Week 2. Florida lost two more games in a row to then-No. 3 LSU and then-No. 4 Miami.
The Gators looked like they had a chance to turn the corner when they defeated then-No. 9 Texas on Oct. 4, but a disappointing 17-point loss to then-No. 5 Texas A&M gave Florida a fourth loss by Oct. 11.
During his postgame news conference on Saturday night, Napier praised his players for their hard work despite the smoke surrounding his job status in Gainesville.
“Just really proud of the group, with the way they’ve handled last week was tough, and they showed up to work,” Napier said. “And I think for young people to be able to eliminate distractions and show up and do very hard work… It’s not easy what we asked these guys to do, but they were well prepared, and they showed up and played.”
Napier, 46, went 22-23 overall at Florida and 12-16 in SEC play during his four seasons with the program.
Napier went 40-12 with the Louisiana Rajin’ Cajuns from 2018-2021 before taking the Florida job. He couldn’t replicate the same success during his four seasons at the prestigious SEC program.
Florida owes Napier a buyout of $20.4 million, with $10.2 million needing to be paid within 30 days.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports..
