Gators hire former ULL coach Billy Napier to replace Mullen

The 42-year-old new hire is expected to remain with the Ragin Cajuns (11-1) this week as they prepare to host Appalachian State (10-2) in the Sun Belt Conference championship game Saturday. He is 39-12 in four seasons in Lafayette, including 32-5 the past three years.

Yahoo! Sports first reported Florida was moving to hire Napier.

Napier will take over for Dan Mullen, who was fired last week after the team’s fourth loss in five games. Mullen was let go less than a year after leading the Gators to a third consecutive New Year’s Six bowl.

Mullen’s stunningly swift downfall ended a tumultuous two seasons that included mounting losses, numerous public relation missteps and NCAA sanctions.

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin moved quickly to land Napier, a former receivers coach at Alabama under Nick Saban and a former offensive coordinator at Clemson and Arizona State.

https://www.wpbf.com/article/ap-source-florida-tabs-ull-coach-napier-to-replace-mullen/38369212