Billy Napier will be $10 million richer by Thanksgiving.
Despite Saturday’s 23-21 win over Mississippi State, multiple reports suggested Napier’s job remained in jeopardy. USA TODAY reported that prominent Florida boosters told athletic director Scott Stricklin their continued financial support “depends on new direction within the football program,” and that Napier could be fired as early as Sunday.
Sure enough, Napier was fired on Sunday after a 3-4 start to the season.
Because Napier was fired this week, Florida owes him about $21.2 million, per his contract obtained by The Palm Beach Post. That figure is based on a clause guaranteeing him 85% of his remaining compensation. Roughly half, which is $10.2 million, would be due within 30 days of termination.
This means Napier could receive that first installment before the holiday season.
Napier’s contract ran through Jan. 31, 2029, and did not include any mitigation clause. Florida cannot reduce the buyout, even if he lands another job. The remaining 50 percent of the buyout will be paid in four annual installments of approximately $2.65 million each, due every July 15 from 2026 through 2029.
According to On3, internal discussions about Napier’s future reached a breaking point with one Florida Board of Trustees source quoted as saying, “It’s over.”
Napier replaced Dan Mullen in November 2021, signing a seven-year, $51.8 million contract with an average annual value of $7.4 million. Florida paid Mullen $12 million after firing him one year into a three-year extension.
Napier’s payout will be among the largest in college football but still far short of the $49 million buyout Penn State owes James Franklin.
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