Billy Napier’s Florida exit landed him in rare company.
Sports Illustrated’s Tim Capurso ranked the 10 most expensive coaching buyouts in college football history, and Napier’s $21.2 million severance checked in at No. 6. That puts the former Gators head coach behind only Jimbo Fisher, Brian Kelly, Mark Stoops, Jonathan Smith and Gus Malzahn on the list.
Fisher sits alone at the top after Texas A&M paid out $77.6 million that remained on his contract. The rest of the top five includes Kelly at $53.2 million, Stoops at $37.6 million, Smith at $33 million and Malzahn at $21.4 million.
Napier was dismissed in October 2025 after Florida opened 3-4. He finished his time in Gainesville with a 22-23 record.
Jon Sumrall took over shortly after, and the change brought what the source described as a wave of momentum and optimism for a program that had been mired in mediocrity.
The larger picture is expensive across the sport. SI reported that fired coaches in 2025 collectively received or were owed about $224 million through buyouts and settlements, a reminder of how costly it can be when a major program misses on a head coach.
SEC schools show up all over the rankings, too. Six of the 10 biggest buyouts involve the Southeastern Conference, with Auburn appearing twice and Texas A&M, LSU, Kentucky and Florida also on the list.
College football’s 10 largest coaching buyouts of all time, according to SI:
Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M - $77.6 million
Brian Kelly, LSU - $53.2 million
Mark Stoops, Kentucky - $37.6 million
Jonathan Smith, Michigan State - $33 million
Gus Malzahn, Auburn - $21.4 million
Billy Napier, Florida - $21.2 million
Charlie Weis, Notre Dame - $18.9 million
Willie Taggart, Florida State - $17 million
Ed Orgeron, LSU - $17 million
Hugh Freeze, Auburn - $15.8 million
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