Florida's Billy Napier choked up after Mississippi State win amid reports 'It's over'

Billy Napier got emotional after Florida’s 23-21 win over Mississippi State on Saturday. However, the victory that did little to quiet speculation about his uncertain future as the Gators’ head coach.

Napier was asked immediately in his postgame press conference whether he might have just coached his final game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. His voice wavered at times as he reflected on the profession and his players.

“I think I’m made for it. I’m built for it,” Napier said. “I chose the coaching profession, and I was called to coach. The good comes with the bad. The bad comes with the good. I do think that the game is about the players, and I’m proud of the players and the way they played. Never gonna make everybody happy in these leadership positions. When you’re in charge, these are the things that come with it. I love the game of football. I love the game.”

Napier then turned the focus on the Gators.  “I think about our players, man. That’s what I think about.”

The win snapped Florida's three-game losing streak, but questions remain about whether it was enough to save his tenure. A source close to Florida’s Board of Trustees told On3, “It’s over,” suggesting the university is preparing to move on. If Florida parts ways with Napier, the school would owe roughly $20.4 million, with half due within 30 days.

Napier is now 22-23 at Florida and simply focus on the current moment. “I’m gonna enjoy this one tonight,” he said. “I’ll wake up tomorrow and worry about what’s next.”

The Gators (3-4) enter a bye week before facing Georgia in Jacksonville on Nov. 1.

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