Florida Gators Fire Coach Billy Napier, AD Scott Stricklin Leads Third Coaching Search

Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin has announced the firing of head coach Billy Napier and is leading a thorough and deliberate search for a new head coach, marking his third such hiring process since 2016. Stricklin emphasized that the final decision will rest solely with him, and the goal is to find an elite coach who can restore the program to championship contention, reflecting the university's significant investment in football success. Despite speculation about candidates like Lane Kiffin, Eli Drinkwitz, and Rhett Lashlee, Stricklin maintains an open mind and plans to consider a wide range of candidates. The search will be confidential and supported by consultants such as TurnkeyZRG, with input from staff but ultimate authority with Stricklin. He praised Napier's character and integrity despite the decision to part ways, which was communicated personally to Napier in a respectful manner. Overall, Stricklin is focused on learning from past hiring experiences with Dan Mullen and Napier to find a leader who can win championships and lead the program into a successful future.