Report: Florida AD Scott Stricklin's contract extended through 2030

Florida athletics director Scott Stricklin recently had three years added to his contract, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported. His deal now runs through 2030.

Stricklin’s contract had been due to expire in 2027 after a previous extension in December 2021. That agreement set his salary at $1.725 million – an increase from $1.151 million per year.

Thamel reported the news while assessing hot seats around college football as the 2025 season gets underway. He said Florida coach Billy Napier, hired by Stricklin, has a “considerably” cooler seat than this time last year after a strong finish to 2024. With Stricklin now extended through 2030, Thamel said that bodes well for Napier’s future in Gainesville.

“The temperature on Billy Napier has cooled considerably, and the Gators have a top-flight quarterback and great expectations again,” Thamel wrote. “He’s 19-19 through three seasons, and his buyout remains eye-popping at $20.4 million. (There’s no offset or mitigation on the deal.) Athletic director Scott Stricklin gave Napier a midseason vote of confidence last year by announcing he’d return, and Florida responded with a strong finishing kick by winning four straight to close the year. Stricklin clearly has his back.

“And per an ESPN source, Stricklin has three additional years added to his contract, which now runs through 2030. That bodes well for Napier, as they are clearly aligned.”

It’s also worth noting Florida’s presidential situation is still in flux after the failed hiring of Santa Ono earlier this summer. The school recently named Dr. Donald Landry as interim president.

A look at Scott Stricklin’s recent major hires

Stricklin hired Napier at Florida in 2021 following Dan Mullen’s departure, and the Gators had an up-and-down start to his tenure. They entered last season with an 11-14 overall record and a 6-10 mark in SEC play, leading to questions about whether UF could opt to make a change.

But after an 8-5 record, including a four-game winning streak to end the year – with two ranked victories – Napier stayed put. Stricklin also gave him a mid-year vote of confidence.

Stricklin’s other notable hire came in men’s basketball when Todd Golden arrived in 2022. In his third season at the helm, Florida won its first national championship since the Billy Donovan-led teams went back-to-back in 2006 and 2007. All told, Golden has a 76-33 record with the Gators after an impressive run at San Francisco.