Billy Napier contract: Details of Florida head coach's buyout

Florida faces another decision with its football program, this time with Billy Napier. The 45-year-old head coach signed a seven-year deal with over $50 million guaranteed in November 2021. He made $7.1 million in Year One and receives an annual $100,000 raise each year he is retained.

Napier’s contract runs through Jan. 31, 2029. If Florida decides to buy out his contract at the end of the month, the school would owe Napier roughly $27.7 million. The number is 85 percent of the total remaining compensation on his contract. Florida boosters have gathered the dollars to fund the buyout according to ESPN.

The Florida head coach would be paid $13.8 million within 30 days of the termination. He would receive $3.2 million every July 15th over the next four years. If Florida decides to hold on to Napier until the end of the season, the Gators would be facing a $25.67 million buyout with $12.83 million within 30 days of the termination.

He would also be owed 85 percent of the next two months’ salary — roughly $1 million. The Gators would need to buy out Napier’s staff, which could cost $12.5 million depending on where assistants land.

Here is a breakdown of the remaining years on Napier’s contract:

+2024 Contract Year – $7,300,000 (Feb. 1, 2024 — Jan. 31, 2025)
+2025 Contract Year – $7,400,000 (Feb. 1, 2025 — Jan. 31, 2026)
+2026 Contract Year – $7,500,000 (Feb. 1, 2026 — Jan. 31, 2027)
+2027 Contract Year – $7,600,000 (Feb. 1, 2027 — Jan. 31, 2028)
+2028 Contract Year – $7,700,000 (Feb. 1, 2028 — Jan. 31, 2029)

His total annual compensation includes his base salary, expense account and activities agreement payments, but does not include bonuses, incentives or retirement contributions.

As part of Napier’s agreement, Florida pays for two cars including insurance and a suite at home games plus 16 tickets. He also has access to the University of Florida Athletic Association’s aircraft.

Napier dropped to 12-16 at Florida with a 6-11 record in the SEC with Saturday’s 33-20 loss to Texas A&M. The Gators have the toughest schedule in the country and opened the year with a 41-17 loss at The Swamp to Miami. 

He went 40-12 in four seasons at Louisiana, which Florida paid $3 million to buyout Napier’s contract with the school. The Gators have won just two top-25 games under Billy Napier.

Asked at Monday’s press conference if he sees a path to a fourth season in Gainesville, Napier said“100 percent.”