Reeling Florida fires Napier

Florida fired coach Billy Napier on Sunday, dumping him a day after an error-filled win against Mississippi State that included more head-scratching calls and offensive lulls such as those that marked much of his four-year run with the Gators.

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BILLY NAPIER went 22-23 in four seasons at Florida, including a 3-12 mark against some of its major rivals.

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Athletic director Scott Stricklin made the move following a 23-21 victory that looked like it was going to be gut-wrenching loss until defensive tackle Michai Boireau picked off a pass with 21 seconds remaining and the Bulldogs near field-goal range.

The game-sealing takeaway energized the "Swamp," but the home crowd quickly turned on Napier and booed him as he sprinted off the field. Stricklin had seen enough and pulled the plug on a run that most of Florida faithful thought lasted longer than it should have.

Napier went 22-23 in four seasons at Florida, including 12-16 in Southeastern Conference play. He was 5-17 against ranked opponents, including 0-14 away from home, and declined to give up his play-calling role despite calls to do so.

Equally damning: his 3-12 mark against rivals Florida State, Georgia, Louisiana State, Miami and Tennessee includes the fewest wins by a Florida coach in such games since the late 1930s.