Florida owes Billy Napier a buyout of about $21 million after firing him on Oct. 19, 2025, hours after a 23 to 21 win over Mississippi State left the Gators 3 and 4. His contract guaranteed 85 percent of his remaining pay with no offset, so Florida owes every dollar even though Napier is now the head coach at James Madison.
| Buyout | About $21 million, 85 percent of his remaining compensation |
| Payment schedule | Half within 30 days of the firing, then about $2.65 million every July 15 through 2029 |
| Offset | None. His James Madison salary does not reduce what Florida owes |
| Original contract | Seven years, $51.8 million, the richest deal in Florida history at the time |
| Replacement | Jon Sumrall, at $7.45 million a year |
Why It Was Cheaper Than It Could Have Been
Florida gave Napier a vote of confidence late in 2024, when firing him would have cost more than $26 million. The Gators closed that season on a four game winning streak, but a home loss to South Florida in Week 2 of 2025 and losses to Texas A&M, Miami and LSU sent him back to the hot seat. Florida is also still paying Dan Mullen, fired in 2021, $1 million a year.
Figures are from reporting by CBS Sports, ESPN and WRUF. More on college football coach buyouts.
The Bottom Line
Florida owes Billy Napier about $21 million, half paid within a month of his October 2025 firing and the rest in yearly installments through 2029, with no reduction for his new job at James Madison. Follow the Gators on the Florida football schedule and Florida NIL.