Report: Surprising detail revealed about Billy Napier hire, Florida coaching search

The Florida Gators were one of the few elite college football programs with an opening at their head coaching job. On Sunday, the short search ended, with Louisiana’s Billy Napier being tabbed as the next headman.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger, once athletic director Scott Stricklin met with Napier face to face, the decision was easy. The two met on Tuesday and he was announced as the next Florida head coach shortly after.

“Just said this on air so might as well put it in print: Florida AD Scott Stricklin met with Billy Napier at his Lafayette home on Tuesday,” Dellenger said in a tweet on Sunday night. “And the interview went so well that Stricklin basically ended his search. Once he got in front of Napier, it was over.”

Being the Lousiana head coach for the past four seasons, Napier has a 39-12 overall record. He was announced the Sun Belt Coach of the Year after the 2019 season, leading the Ragin Cajuns to a program-best 11 wins.

Stricklin explains decision to hire Napier

After the official announcement, Stricklin explained why Napier was the right guy to take over the Florida program. In a statement, he said the former Louisiana man will bring a “strong, relationship-based culture” to Gainesville.

“I’ve followed and studied Billy Napier’s career with interest, and he became the primary target immediately after this position came open,” Stricklin said in a press release. “We felt confident he would be an excellent leader for the Gators, which is why he was the only candidate I met with about the job.

“Billy’s ability to bring highly-talented people together — players, coaches, and staff — along with his vision for having a strong, relationship-based culture is what made him such an attractive choice,” Stricklin said. “Add in how detailed his plan is for player development, staffing and recruiting, along with a sustained desire to improve, and it’s easy to see why he’s been successful.

“I’m so pleased that Billy, Ali, Annie, Sammy Nelson and Charlie are coming to Gainesville. It’s an exciting day for the Gators.”

Stricklan decided it was time to move on from Dan Mullen after the program started to make a wrong turn. Not only were the results beginning to turn sour, but recruiting was not something the former head coach was prioritizing.

Saturday got the Gators back on the right track, defeating their in-state rivlas, the Florida State Seminoles. They will now appear in a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season, giving Napier’s new team more time to practice before the 2022 season.