After the last week of rumors swirling around about Billy Napier leaving the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns football program, it became official on Sunday afternoon that he will now take over the program at the University of Florida.
Details of the contract length or terms have not been released by Florida at this time.
The 42-year-old head coach is coming off of three straight seasons where the Ragin’ Cajuns have won ten or more games and won the Sun Belt West Division in each of the four seasons he’s coached the program.
“I could not be happier for and more proud of Billy Napier as he begins his next chapter of coaching at the University of Florida” Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Bryan Maggard said in a press release from the university, “I want to personally thank him, our student-athletes, and staff for the unprecedented body of work they accomplished these past four years. I know I speak for all of Cajun Nation in wishing Billy, Ali, and the kids great success moving forward. Our efforts will soon turn to identifying the next head coach for our nationally-ranked football program.”
Per a press release from the University of Florida, Napier will coach this Saturday’s Sun Belt Conference Championship game at Cajun Field against the Appalachian State Mountaineers and will be introduced formally on December 5th in Gainesville.
“We are humbled and honored to accept this incredible opportunity to be the head football coach at the University of Florida,” Napier said in the press release. “Our team, staff, and the entire organization will work daily to establish a program with integrity and class that we all can be proud of. More importantly, we will build a culture that is centered around making an impact on our players; as people, as students, and on the field.
“We embrace the expectations and are excited about the challenge ahead. We will assemble a special group of people and immediately get to work building a great program. A special thank you to President Dr. Fuchs and Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. We look forward to getting to Gainesville and starting this journey!”