History of Billy Napier in Timeline

Billy Napier is an American football coach recognized for his tenures as head coach at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (2018-2021) and the University of Florida (2022-2025). During his time at Louisiana, he achieved a 40-12 record, including three consecutive seasons with over 10 wins and two seasons where the program finished in the AP Poll, marking unprecedented milestones for the program. Prior to his head coaching roles, he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arizona State University in 2017.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 21, 1979: Birth of William Hall Napier

On July 21, 1979, William Hall Napier was born.

1989: Gators Home Opener

In 1989, it was the last time before August 31, 2024 that the Gators lost in a home opener.

1997: All-State Selection

In 1997, Billy Napier was named All-State while playing football at Murray County High School.

1999: College Teammate

From 1999, Napier was college teammates with NEEDTOBREATHE vocalist Bear Rinehart at Furman University

2001: NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game

In 2001, Billy Napier led his team to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game but lost to Montana. He also earned second-team All-Southern Conference honors.

2002: All-Southern Conference Honors

In 2002, Napier earned second-team All-Southern Conference honors.

2004: QB Coach at South Carolina State

In 2004, Napier was hired as the QB coach at South Carolina State.

2008: Promotion to Offensive Coordinator

After the 2008 season, Dabo Swinney was promoted to full-time head coach and subsequently promoted Napier to offensive coordinator while retaining his duties as QB coach.

2009: ACC Atlantic Division Win

In 2009, Clemson won the ACC Atlantic Division behind the strength of Napier's offense, which scored a then-school record 436 points.

2010: Termination at Clemson

At the end of the 2010 season, Napier was terminated from his position at Clemson due to a steep reduction in the team's offensive output.

2010: Offensive Coordinator at Arizona State University

In Napier's first season back at OC since being fired as Clemson's OC back in 2010, his offense led Arizona State to finish with a 7–5 record and a Sun Bowl trip.

2011: Offensive Analyst at Alabama

In 2011, Napier worked as an offensive analyst at Alabama under Nick Saban and earned a championship ring following Alabama's win over LSU in the BCS National Championship Game.

January 2013: Hired by Jimbo Fisher at Florida State

In January 2013, Napier was hired by Jimbo Fisher at Florida State to be the team's tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator, but departed less than a month later.

January 2016: Second National Championship

In January 2016, Napier won a second national championship as Alabama's WR coach

December 15, 2017: Head Coach at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

On December 15, 2017, Napier was named the 26th football head coach at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

2017: Offensive Coordinator at Arizona State University

In 2017, Billy Napier served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arizona State University.

2018: Head Coach at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

In 2018, Billy Napier became the head coach at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

2018: Sun Belt West

In 2018, Billy Napier's team won the Sun Belt West division.

2019: Cajuns Picked to Finish First

Prior to the 2019 season, Napier's Cajuns were picked to finish first in the West Division and second in the conference.

2020: Sun Belt

In 2020, Billy Napier's team won the Sun Belt.

2020: LendingTree Bowl Win and First Responder Bowl Win

In 2020, Napier's Cajuns won the LendingTree Bowl, his first bowl victory as a head coach and also won 2020 First Responder Bowl.

November 28, 2021: Named Head Coach at University of Florida

On November 28, 2021, Napier was named the 28th head football coach at the University of Florida.

December 5, 2021: Announcement as Head Coach at University of Florida

On December 5, 2021, Florida officially announced Napier as their head coach via a press conference.

2021: End of Tenure at Louisiana at Lafayette

In 2021, Billy Napier concluded his tenure as head coach at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, having achieved a 40–12 record over four seasons.