Billy Napier reacts to Florida basketball making the Final Four

Florida coach Billy Napier is hitting the road this weekend. Not for a recruiting trip, but to watch the Gator basketball team.

During a Florida football practice media opportunity on Tuesday, Napier reacted to the Gator basketball team making the Final Four. Napier shared that he and his 2 sons will be in San Antonio to cheer on Florida against Auburn.

Billy Napier on Final Four #Gators: 'Man, they're a fun group to watch, and they have a unique chemistry … that jumps off the screen.'

He's headed to San Antonio for Final Four with his two sons.

— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) April 1, 2025

Napier and Todd Golden were hired only months apart. So far, Golden has found more success than Napier.

Things got off to a bumpy start for both coaches. Year 1 for Napier ended on a 3-game losing streak, including a loss to Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl for a 6-7 finish. On the hardwood, the Gators finished Year 1 under Golden 16-17 with losses to Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament and then UCF in the NIT.

Since then, however, Golden has found more success than his gridiron counterpart.

The 2023 football season was a rough Year 2 for Napier, as the Gators went 5-7 finishing on a 5-game losing skid to miss a bowl game. Golden led the Gators to an SEC Tournament championship appearance and berth in the NCAA Tournament, though the March Madness campaign ended with an opening-round loss to Colorado. UF finished the 2023-24 basketball season 24-12.

The past few months have been better for both coaches. Napier’s squad finished the season 8-5 on a 4-game winning streak with the first bowl victory of his tenure. Golden has the Gators on a 10-game winning streak at 34-4 overall with the first conference tournament title and trip to the Final Four since 2014.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.