Florida Fires Billy Napier; Gonzales Named Interim

Florida fired head coach Billy Napier on Sunday, ending his four-season run after a 3–4 start this year and a 22–23 record in Gainesville, a day after a 23–21 win over Mississippi State as the program entered a bye week. Athletic director Scott Stricklin cited sustained underperformance and recurring game-management and play-calling issues in announcing the move. Receivers coach Billy Gonzales was officially named interim head coach; Gonzales is a 12-year Florida assistant with no prior head-coaching experience. The decision followed booster pressure and repeated fan chants calling for Napier’s dismissal. The university reportedly still owes roughly $21 million on Napier’s contract as UF begins a search with a brief window to prepare for a November stretch that includes a rivalry game at Georgia.