Billy Napier deflects question on future as Florida head coach

In its first game against FBS competition this season, No. 13 Florida was stunned at home 18-16 by USF Saturday afternoon. It marked the Gators’ first ever loss to the Bulls and dropped head coach Billy Napier‘s win-loss record with the program to just 20-20.

Following the shocking upset, Napier was asked if he believes that he is the right man for the job in Gainesville. Instead of completely shutting it down, he didn’t really answer the question.

“Yeah I think I’m more concerned with doing my job to help lead these young men,” Napier said. “I think that’s a big picture question and I think right now it’s more about today. It’s more about what we do tomorrow and that’s what we’ve got to get consumed with. So I think I’m consumed with doing the best job I can do for the players and leading the staff and getting the football fixed. Ultimately, that’s gonna decide how far we go around here.”

Florida loses to USF 18-15, in a final two minutes where:

* Player ejected for spitting – costing them 15 yards
* Billy Napier completely mismanages his timeouts
* Should've let USF score on multiple plays – doesnt

I mean, this is truly a masterclass in terrible coaching pic.twitter.com/3b5uKRyOR9

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) September 6, 2025

Florida led 16-15 late in the game and looked to have forced a potential 3rd & 10 from the USF 24-yard line with just 2:04 remaining, but the Bulls got a fresh set of downs when Florida DL Brendan Bett was ejected for spitting on a USF player. That 15-yard penalty kept the drive going, and USF eventually got down to the 2-yard line with two seconds to go.

Nico Gramatica was called upon to kick a field goal virtually equivalent to a PAT. He made it, and time expired as the ball went through the upset. Just like that, USF got the upset – and Florida is facing more questions.

Napier’s Gators are now just 14-7 in games played in ‘The Swap’

Both teams traded field goals to start the game as Florida took a 9-6 lead into halftime. USF then took the lead in the third quarter when Byrum Brown connected with Keshaun Singleton for a 66-yard touchdown, making it a 13-9 Bulls lead. USF then got a safety on a special teams miscue by Florida, extending the lead to 15-9.

But Florida answered and jumped back out in front as DJ Lagway found Eugene “Tre” Wilson III for a four-yard touchdown pass with 12:29 to go. USF then punted missed a field goal with 2:52 to go, but Florida went three-and-out to give the Bulls possession with 2:25 to play. That proved to be enough time for Gramatica’s game-winning kick.

For USF, it marks a second straight big-time victory to kick off Alex Golesh’s third season as head coach. The Bulls cruised past Boise State a week ago and now have another Top-25 win on their resume. Brown led the charge at quarterback on Saturday, throwing for 263 yards and a touchdown while adding 66 rushing yards on a team-high 17 attempts.

As for Florida, there are more questions after another in-state loss at The Swamp. Lagway had a solid day, going 23 of 33 for 222 yards and a touchdown, along with an interception. But the Gators’ defense struggled to contain Brown and the Bulls’ offense, allowing 391 total yards on the day.

UF will now turn its attention to the first SEC game of the year against LSU next week. It’s another important game for Napier and Co. – even more so after another home loss.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.