USA TODAY Sports’ salary database highlights Hugh Freeze, Billy Napier and Luke Fickell as overpaid, while Curt Cignetti stands out as a value pick.
- Billy Napier is 21-23 in his fourth season as Florida football coach.
- Napier signed a seven-year contract worth more than $51 million before the 2022 season.
It was always going to be tough for Napier to be comfortable in his fourth season at Gainesville. Since Urban Meyer left, none of the Gators’ three coaches have lasted more than four years at the helm. And they all had better records than Napier (that includes Jim McElwain, who was fired midway through his third season on the job).
Things started looking bad when UF lost in the Swamp to South Florida in Week 2, a loss exemplified by Brendan Bett spitting on a USF player to kick-start the Bulls’ game-winning drive. They got worse when prized quarterback DJ Lagway tossed five interceptions in a close loss at LSU and when the offense put up just 32 yards in the first half against Miami.
If this latest loss at the No. 5 Aggies isn’t Napier’s last, then next week’s home game against an improved Mississippi State could be the final straw. There’s a bye week after that before the Georgia game in Jacksonville that kicks off a challenging end to the season with three straight games away from Gainesville. The Gators are 0-3 on the road this year.
Here’s what to know about Napier’s contract, including how much Florida would owe him if it decides to fire him after the Texas A&M loss:
Billy Napier buyout
Florida owes about $21.3 million to Billy Napier if it chooses to fire him the day after the Texas A&M game, according to his contract, which was obtained by USA TODAY Sports. The buyout total is dictated by his contract, which states Napier receives 85% of his annual compensation. For this contract year, which ends Jan. 31, 2026, that amount is $7.4 million. The number rises by $100,000 each year in his deal.
Napier’s contract expires Jan. 31, 2029. The first installment of his buyout, which is contracted to be worth 50% of what he is due, must be paid within 30 days of his firing. The remaining installments, each worth 12.5% of the total buyout, would be due July 15 each year until fully paid.
Here’s how those payments would break down if UF fires Napier on Oct. 12 (all values approximate):
- $10.7 million due Nov. 12, 2025
- $2.7 million due July 15, 2026
- $2.7 million due July 15, 2027
- $2.7 million due July 15, 2028
- $2.7 million due July 15, 2029
According to the contract, Napier has no duty to mitigate, and UF would not be offset from his future revenue.
Billy Napier contract details
- Length: 7 years
- Worth: $51.8 million
Billy Napier replaced Dan Mullen as Florida head coach on Nov. 28, 2021, signing a seven-year deal worth $51.8 million with an average annual value of $7.4 million. Mullen’s buyout cost Florida $12 million after UF fired him one year into a three-year extension meant to keep him around until 2026. He is due $1 million each year through 2027.
Napier had spent the previous four years building Louisiana into a Group of 5 contender, going 40-12 with an impressive 22-2 record over his last two seasons in Lafayette. He led the Ragin’ Cajuns to their first ever ranking, reaching as high as No. 15 in the AP poll.
Billy Napier record at Florida football
SEC record in parentheses:
- 2022: 6-7 (3-5)
- 2023: 5-7 (3-5)
- 2024: 8-5 (4-4)
- 2025: 2-4 (1-2)
- Overall: 21-23 (11-16)
Florida football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at the UF schedule. All times Eastern:
- Aug. 30: vs Long Island | W 55-0
- Sept. 6: vs South Florida | L 18-16
- Sept. 13: at LSU* | L 20-10
- Sept. 20: at Miami | L 26-7
- Sept. 27: Bye
- Oct. 4: vs Texas* | W 29-21
- Oct. 11: at Texas A&M* | 7 p.m. | ESPN | Fubo
- Oct. 18: vs Mississippi State* | 4:15 p.m. | SEC Network | Fubo
- Oct. 25: Bye
- Nov. 1: vs Georgia* (in Jacksonville) | 3:30 p.m. | ABC | Fubo
- Nov. 8: at Kentucky* | TBA
- Nov. 15: at Ole Miss* | TBA
- Nov. 22: vs Tennessee* | TBA
- Nov. 29: vs Florida State | TBA
- Record: 2-3 (1-1 in SEC)
*- SEC game
Contributing: Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun; Steve Berkowitz and John Leuzzi of USA TODAY.
