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Florida fans break out in 'fire Billy' chant after loss to USF

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels09/07/25ChandlerVessels
billy napier
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Florida fans are fed up with Billy Napier after an 18-16 loss against USF on Saturday and they let their voices be heard. So much so that some were chanting for the Gators coach to be fired as they left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

It wasn’t just a select few either, as the chants were loud with many fans clearly frustrated. You can view the moment for yourself below.

Napier has been the coach at Florida since the 2022 season and, after Saturday’s loss, has a 20-20 overall record in his tenure. His only winning season was an 8-5 effort last year.

That had provided some optimism about what this season could hold with the Gators entering Saturday’s contest ranked No. 13 in the AP poll. But the disappointing result now clearly has many Florida fans ready for change.

There’s still plenty of time left for the team to turn things around. But if they don’t and decide to fire Napier at the end of the 2025 season, his buyout would be $20.4 million according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin backed Napier at the mid-season point in 2024, and the Gators responded by winning four consecutive games as star quarterback DJ Lagway led them to wins over LSU and Ole Miss. Napier is making $7.4 million this season.

It’s clear the pressure is growing, and how Florida responds from this loss will be critical in determining Napier’s future in the program. The Gators next have a matchup against No. 3 LSU in Week 3, so things could go from bad to worse in a hurry.

Billy Napier deflects question on future as Florida head coach

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 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.

On3’s Daniel Hager contributed to this report.