ATLANTA (SEPT. 6, 2022) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl today announced that Florida head football coach Billy Napier has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week presented by PNC.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership, and integrity.
In his first game as head coach at the University of Florida, Napier led his team to an upset over No. 7 Utah 29-26 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. With the win, he became the only head coach to defeat a ranked opponent in his first game for the Gators. The victory over the No. 7 Utes is tied for the highest-ranked victory in a season opener in program history, tying the 59-34 win over No. 7 Houston in 1969. Florida was led by sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson who rushed for 106 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns, including the eventual game-winning touchdown with less than 90 seconds left in the fourth quarter. In the game's waning moments, with Utah in the red zone, senior linebacker Amari Burney intercepted a pass in the end zone with 17 seconds left to seal the victory at Steve Spurrier Florida Field.
Napier's first victory at Florida continues the program's FBS-record streak of season-opening wins at home to 33.
"This was a tremendous win by Coach Napier and his football team to open their 2022 season," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "Leadership and preparation are critical in every game, but even more so when you enter as an underdog in your home stadium. This was the kind of game Coach Dodd would have loved to prepare for, getting his players focused on the task and finding a way to upset a favored opponent."
Napier arrived in Gainesville after coaching at the University of Louisiana from 2018-21. There, he led the Ragin' Cajuns to a 40-12 record and a perfect 16-0 record over Sun Belt West Division opponents. His teams also claimed four straight West Division titles and the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Championship. These accomplishments led him to be named the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year twice, in 2019 and 2021.
Off the field, he has implemented a program called GatorMade, a player focused and hands-on initiative that aims to develop his players for their lives at Florida and beyond. This past summer, 16 Gators student-athletes made a trip to Athens, Greece to serve those less fortunate and give helping hands to "The Smile of the Child" organization. A second group of student-athletes took a trip to Atlanta over their spring breaks, to meet with the Atlanta Gator Club, and discuss opportunities to give back to the surrounding communities and for potential opportunities after their playing careers.
"Coach Napier has already implemented a new philosophy and culture at the University of Florida, centered around off-field programs that will set up his players for life after football," said Gary Stokan, CEO and President of Peach Bowl, Inc. "With his first win under his belt, Coach Napier seems poised to put the Gators back in contention in the SEC."
The Dodd Trophy presented by PNC– along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
A panel consisting of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2022 season. The winner of the 2022 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
