"Never gonna make everybody happy": Billy Napier addresses future in Florida as calls mount for his firing after shaky win vs. Mississippi State

Geoff
Florida coach Billy Napier (Image Source: IMAGN)
Florida coach Billy Napier (Image Source: IMAGN)

Florida coach Billy Napier addressed his future after the Gators posted a 23-21 win over Mississippi State on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. Napier talked to the media post-game and insisted that he's fit for the job despite mounting calls for his firing.

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"Yeah, I would say I'm built for it. I'm made for it," Napier said. "I chose the coaching profession. I was called to coach. And the good comes with the bad and the bad comes with the good."
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The 46-year-old coach also expressed his gratitude to the players for their performance and courage every game, despite the big odds stacked against them. He also discussed the reality inside the boardroom, particularly in making the changes for the benefit of the team.

"You're never gonna make everybody happy in these leadership positions. When you're in charge these are the things that come with it. I love the game of football. I love the game," the Florida coach said.
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It was earlier reported that the university's financial benefactors gave athletic director Scott Stricklin an ultimatum to make the changes to the football team as soon as possible, or they would back out of providing financial assistance.

Napier led Florida to one winning season—an 8-5 record in 2024—in three-and-a-half seasons where he went 22-23 (12-16 in SEC) overall.

Mississippi State wastes chance to embarrass 90,000-plus Florida fans

Mississippi State had an opportunity to dampen the spirits of a 90,203 pro-Florida crowd, who packed the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday. It all boiled down to one play - Blake Shapin's pass on 2nd and 10 on Florida's 29-yard line.

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Shapin had the opportunity of his life to bring more misery to Billy Napier in what could have been his final game of the year. But his throw was caught by Florida defender Michael Boireau, who wrote a different ending that had Napier smiling from the inside.

Boireau expressed satisfaction with his game-changing interception. It negated Mississippi State's 468-yard game-long mastery that had Florida clamoring to stop the Bulldogs from running away with the football.

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"Last time I had an interception ... I had a pick in an All-Star Game (in high school)," Boireau said. "That doesn't compare to this one. I guarantee you that."

Mississippi State failed to take advantage of Florida's decimated defensive line, which forced regular starter Bryce Thornton to lead a band of reserves.

Those shock troopers—Jamroc Grimsley, Alfonzo Allen Jr., Ben Hanks III, J'Vari Flowers, Lagonza Hayward and Michael Caraway Jr.—held their own against Shapen, Davon Booth, Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans III.

It remains uncertain whether this makeshift defensive line would make another start against Georgia on Nov 1, but they gave Billy Napier the possible sendoff he deserves.

Florida Gators Fan? Check out the latest Gators depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Geoff
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