Napier on ending up at Florida instead of LSU: ‘This path was right’
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Billy Napier has no regrets or uncertainty about the way things played out.
In an alternate universe, perhaps he’s coaching at LSU right now instead of Florida. Napier would have moved just one hour from Lafayette to Baton Rouge, with the state already mapped out after eight years of recruiting Louisiana (four as the UL head coach).
Once the Tigers parted ways with Ed Orgeron on Oct. 17, 2021, Napier was considered a candidate for the job and SI’s Ross Dellenger said that the coach had “a swell of support” in south Louisiana. However, USA TODAY Sports columnist Dan Wolken suggested that “there was a faction (of the fan base/boosters) that perhaps recoiled at the idea of taking a coach from little Lafayette.”
By comparison, how would Florida fans feel about hiring the football coach from FAU or USF? Regardless, the Gators didn’t have to worry about that dynamic with Napier, who was the top target for UF athletic director Scott Stricklin. After he was tabbed as Florida’s coach on Nov. 28, Dellenger reported that LSU “did not seriously pursue” Napier. The following day, the Tigers announced the hiring of Brian Kelly.
Those two moves added even more juice to the Florida-LSU rivalry. With the Tigers seemingly passing on Napier — who was right down the road, a cultural fit and had deep in-state ties — to bring in a coach with no experience in the SEC (or the South), it’s a decision that will be reexamined annually when these two programs meet.
Ahead of Saturday’s game, Napier was asked about the media speculation regarding his candidacy at LSU, whether there was any interaction with the school and how he ended up in Gainesville as opposed to Baton Rouge.
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“I don’t know that’s something you talk publicly about. I think we’re all well aware of chaotic times in college football when you get to November, December, January,” Napier said. “I’ll tell you one thing. I’m grateful for the opportunity I was given here. For the administration here, for Scott and all the people that contributed to that decision to have faith and confidence, do their homework on me, give me an opportunity to lead here. I can’t imagine being at a much better place.”
Napier turned down an offer from Mississippi State after the 2019 season and backed away from opportunities at South Carolina and Auburn in 2020. He also reportedly fielded interest from Ole Miss, Missouri and Tennessee during their most recent coaching searches, while interviewing with Baylor officials in New Orleans before learning about the program’s pending NCAA sanctions — a turnoff.
Despite the LSU job opening, Napier feels he ultimately landed at the right place.
“We were very patient the last few years. This path was right. That’s what I would say. There’s not a day that I woke up and said, ‘Am I at the right place or not?’ I’ve got conviction about that,” Napier said of UF. “And every day that I’m here, the more I’m confident about what we can accomplish here. So, it’s a blessing to be at the University of Florida and represent such a great place.”
