The University of Florida is reportedly closing in on a head coaching hire.
According to a report from Yahoo! Sports insider Pete Thamel, the Gators have targeted Louisiana head coach Billy Napier.
An agreement between Napier and the Gators could be reached as soon as Sunday afternoon.
“Florida has targeted Louisiana’s Billy Napier as the school’s next coach. An announcement could come as early as this afternoon,” he reports.
Sources: Florida has targeted Louisiana’s Billy Napier as the school’s next coach. An announcement could come as early as this afternoon.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 28, 2021
Sports Illustrated reported on Saturday that Napier had emerged as the No. 1 candidate for the job.
Louisiana coach Billy Napier has emerged as the leading candidate for the Florida job, multiple sources tell Sports Illustrated.
If a deal with the Gators comes together within the next week, Napier is still expected to coach the Ragin’ Cajuns in the Sun Belt championship game next Saturday against Appalachian State, sources say. Napier has compiled a 38–12 career record at Louisiana heading into 2021’s regular-season finale against Louisiana-Monroe. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 10–1 this year.
Florida fired head coach Dan Mullen earlier this month.
Napier, 42, has been Florida’s head coach since 2018.