• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Florida Gives Billy Napier Vote of Confidence With Huge Buyout Looming

If fired, Florida would have to pay Napier more than $26 million, which would be the second-largest buyout in college football history.

Florida football coach Billy Napier
Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Florida gifted Billy Napier some job security.

Athletic director Scott Stricklin posted a statement Thursday morning supporting Napier, who has a 15–18 record coaching the Gators over the last three seasons. The team is currently 4–4 on the year and 2–3 in the SEC, most recently losing 34–20 on Saturday to rival Georgia, currently ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Stricklin referenced “times of change across college athletics,” and wants Napier at the helm as the landscape “evolves,” he wrote. “I am confident that Billy will meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. We will work alongside him to support any changes needed to elevate Gator football.”

The school is—at least temporarily—shutting down questions by placing trust in Napier, as midseason firings in college football and the NFL have skyrocketed in recent years. But it’s also a financial decision. If fired, Napier’s buyout would be more than $26 million, which would make it the second-largest buyout in college football history. His contract with Florida runs until Jan. 31, 2029, and he’s guaranteed 85% of the remaining amount on his deal if fired.

Florida has some of the highest revenues in all of college athletics, but a potential Napier buyout could be the least of their concerns. It’s possible that power conference schools will start paying athletes directly as early as next year as part of the House v. NCAA settlement, which outlined revenue-sharing payments of about $20 million every year—though it’s unclear how the money would be distributed among athletes. Still, that could factor into Florida’s decision not to pay Napier’s buyout in addition to the cost of hiring his replacement.

Florida fired Napier’s predecessor Dan Mullen, and at the time of his firing, owed him $12 million—half to be paid within a month, and the rest in installments until 2027. Mullen is now a college football analyst for ESPN.

Florida is in a similar boat to Baylor, where fans have clamored for the firing of coach Dave Aranda. After going 3–9, the school committed to keeping Aranda at the end of last season, when his buyout was more than $20 million. The Bears have improved to 5–4 this year. It’s been a similar script for Arkansas, which went 1–7 in the SEC last year, made a statement in support of coach Sam Pittman last November (avoiding a buyout of at least $16.1 million), and have so far gone 3–3 in the conference this year.

The Sun Belt’s Southern Miss didn’t follow that path, however. The Golden Eagles went 3–9 last season and posted their statement supporting coach Will Hall in late November. But after going 1–6, Southern Miss fired Hall on Oct. 20. His buyout was only $860,000.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

FS1 Exec Charlie Dixon Gone From Fox Sports

Dixon was named in two separate lawsuits in January.
Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq Taking GM Role at Sacramento State

The news comes amid the school’s push for FBS status.
Trump
exclusive

Giants Say Team Had ‘No Conversations’ With Trump About Saquon Barkley

Trump said he told the Giants not to let Saquon leave.
blue clay tennis court

Power Outage Halts Madrid Open Tennis Tournament

The major outage across Spain and Portugal suspended Monday’s matches.

Featured Today

Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck holds the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Boston Celtics championship parade.

The Celtics Succession Plan Remains Murky

The transfer of power to a private-equity group is still unresolved.
April 26, 2025

The Rays Groundskeepers Are Adjusting to Life Outside the Dome

After nearly three decades in a dome, Tampa groundskeepers were forced outside.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.

Quinn Ewers Bet on NFL Over NIL—and Left Millions on the Table

The Dolphins picked Ewers in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Ole Miss
April 24, 2025

Coach Yo: Women’s College Hoops Are ‘Pay for Play’

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin built a top transfer class this offseason.
Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
April 25, 2025

College Sports Has Become a Billion-Dollar Business. Kentucky Is Embracing It

Kentucky said its LLC would operate similarly to two hospitals run by the university.
Sponsored

Fighting for Clarity: Inside UFC’s New Partnership With Total Wireless

UFC teams with Total Wireless in a no-frills partnership built for today’s mobile-first, value-driven fanbase.
Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark speaks during the CFP National Championship Host Committee handoff press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.
April 24, 2025

CFP Meetings End With No Major Changes to 12-Team Playoff—for Now

For now, the complicated seeding process will remain in place.
April 24, 2025

The House Settlement Is in Jeopardy. Here’s What It Will Take to..

The parties will try to salvage the settlement over the next two weeks.
NC State women's cross country
April 23, 2025

Judge Threatens to Reject $2.8 Billion House v. NCAA Settlement

The NCAA and power conferences could end up at trial.
Dec 27, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Miguel Mitchell (16) returns an interception during the forth quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
April 23, 2025

NIL Contract Buyouts Are More Common, but Can They Be Enforced?

The Arkansas collective has issued two demand letters to players to pay buyouts.