Billy Napier addresses Brenton Cox's dismissal from Florida's program

Coming off his fourth defeat of the season, a 42-20 loss to No. 1 Georgia, Florida coach Billy Napier confirmed the team’s dismissal of Brenton Cox, the team’s most prominent pass-rusher.
Cox was dismissed from the team on Monday, as first reported by Zach Abolverdi of Gators Online on the On3 Network.
“I appreciate you asking that question,” Napier said, asked about the Gators Online report. “Brenton, we’ve kind of decided to move on here. I think — you know, I think that being a football player at the University of Florida is a privilege, right? There’s certain expectations and standards that come with that.
“Brenton’s been here in his third year. Obviously he’s done a lot of good things for the University of Florida, and we wish him nothing but the best.”
Napier was asked directly if Cox threw a punch at the end of the game against Georgia; Cox was involved in a physical brush with Bulldogs running back Kendall Milton on a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Top 10
- 1New
Rodney Terry
Hot seat, potential replacements
- 2Live
Final Bracketology
Live updates
- 3Hot
Joe Lunardi
Predicts Field of 68
- 4
Overall No. 1 seed
Argument for Duke over Auburn
- 5
Seth Davis
Accuses John Calipari
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
“Not that I’m aware of,” Napier said.
Billy Napier explains Brenton Cox dismissal
Napier, in his first year with the Florida program after a four-year stint leading Louisiana, discussed his decision leading to Brenton Cox’s dismissal further.
“Sometimes you have to make decisions in the best interests of the team,” Napier said. “Certainly Brenton, we’re going to do everything we can do to help him with his transition, but as simple as that. I think we’ve decided to move on.”
Cox initially transferred to Florida after spending one year at Georgia.
He had recorded 35 tackles, 8.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, nine quarterback hurries and a pass breakup for the Gators so far this season.
Cox also led the team in both tackles for a loss and sacks in 2021, tallying 14.5 and 8.5, respectively.