- Program
- James Madison
- Level
- FBS
- In Role Since
- 2026
- Conference
- Sun Belt
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in health & exercise science from Furman (2002)
Profile
Billy Napier became James Madison University's head coach in December 2025 after successful tenures at Florida and Louisiana. At Florida, he led the Gators to multiple top-25 wins and bowl victories, developing NFL talent including first-round draft picks. His four-year run at Louisiana featured two Sun Belt titles and consistent championship game appearances. Napier's offensive expertise is rooted in 15 years of FBS coaching, including Alabama and Clemson stints. As a college quarterback, he was a two-time All-Conference performer at Furman and a national runner-up finalist.
Coaching Approach
Napier emphasizes a strong offensive attack with a balanced rushing and passing game, developing NFL-caliber talent and fostering top-performing units in red zone defense and turnover margin. His thorough recruiting strategy produced multiple top-20 classes and high NFL draft pick rates, focusing on player development and team competitiveness.
Career Highlights
- 62-35 career head coaching record prior to James Madison
- Led Florida to 8-5 record and Gasparilla Bowl victory in 2024
- Coached 21 NFL Draft picks at Florida including first-rounders Caleb Banks and Anthony Richardson
Sources
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