Billy Napier to remain Florida's head football coach, athletic director confirms

Joel Klatt revealed his November 12-team bracket. He broke down who would win the conference championships and why he is high on the BYU Cougars.

Billy Napier will be on the sideline Saturday when the 4-4 Florida Gators look to upset the fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns. 

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin confirmed the university's decision to keep Napier as the Gators' head football coach.

Napier's future had been in doubt with the Gators' continued disappointing results in the coach's third season.

But Stricklin mentioned the need for a "disciplined, stable approach" and urged Gators fans to "continue standing behind Billy and his dedicated team while we work together to build a championship program."

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Head coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators during the first half of a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla.  (James Gilbert/Getty Images)

The pressure Napier is contending with surfaced early on this season, due in part to Miami's dominating win over Florida in August. The Gators bounced back against Stanford in Week 2, but the scrutiny resurfaced when Florida lost 33-20 to Texas A&M. 

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Stricklin has taken a patient approach to Napier's tenure, stressing the importance of giving the coach sufficient time to turn the program around. There have been some bright spots for Florida this season. 

"As we've seen these past several weeks, the young men on this team represent what it means to be a Gator," Stricklin wrote in an announcement shared on social media. "Their resolve, effort and execution are evident in their