Florida coaching hire Billy Napier will begin his new job Sunday set to become the fifth-highest SEC coach, earning more than $7 million annually, the school announced Sunday.
Napier agreed to a 7-year, $51.8 million deal to coach the Gators.
Napier is scheduled to earn $7.1 million next season, with a $100,000 raise each subsequent year through 2028.
Alabama coach Nick Saban ($9.75 million), Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher ($9 million), LSU’s Brian Kelly ($8.6 million) and Georgia’s Kirby Smart ($7.13) are due to earn more next season than Napier. The 42-year-old received $2 million this season at Louisiana after the school doubled his 2020 compensation.
Napier’s deal also includes performance bonuses of up to $1.5 million. Napier received a $100,000 signing bonus to help with moving expenses, along with two luxury cars, 16 tickets to every home and away game, 18 seats in a suite for home games. He also will have use of the school’s University Athletic Association aircraft at an annual value of $70,000.
UF announced Nov. 28 Napier would succeed Dan Mullen, who was fired amid his fourth season in Gainesville.
Napier insisted he coach the Ragin’ Cajuns during Saturday’s Sun Belt Conference title game, a 24-16 victory against Appalachian State.
Earlier in the week, Napier called the decision to coach “non-negotiable.” After the win, he praised his new employer’s understanding.
“It means something when somebody believes in you,” Napier said. “They believe in what we’ve been able to accomplish. They believe in who you are and what you’re about. Certainly for them to understand that, right. If they didn’t understand that, I wouldn’t be going there. It was the right thing to do.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else. But I’m thankful.”
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin accommodated Napier after targeting him to resurrect the Gators following a stunning collapse this season under Mullen. Stricklin fired Mullen Nov. 21 following an overtime loss the previous evening at Missouri. The defeat was the Gators’ ninth in 11 meetings against Power 5 opponents.
Florida’s dramatic slide opened the door for Napier, who was 40-12 at Louisiana during his first head coaching stint. Napier formulated his blueprint for success with the Ragin’ Cajuns based on 15 seasons as an assistant coach, graduate assistant or analyst.
Napier coached receivers under Saban at Alabama (2013-16). He also spent the 2009-10 seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach to Dabo Swinney at Clemson. Napier previously spent two seasons (2003-04) at Clemson as a graduate assistant and three (2006-08) coaching tight ends and serving as recruiting coordinator under Tommy Bowden.
In 2005, Napier coached quarterbacks at South Carolina State.
Napier’s contract at Lafayette was to run through December 2025 and contained a $3 million buyout.
Mullen’s buyout was $12 million. Mullen was in the fifth year of a six-year deal and set to earn $7.6 million beginning in 2022, up from $6.1 million in 2021.
Napier’s buyout guarantees him 85% of what he is owed if let go without cause. If Napier leave, he has sliding buyout of $7 million before Dec. 31, 2022, with the figure dealing each subsequent season.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Edgar Thompson at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osgators.
