Interesting thought. Could (theoretically) a coach use his own money (buyout) to pay his players?AppOrange wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 1:16 pmWell, since Fla gave him a boatload of money ot leave, maybe he spends some of that on key players and coaches as an investment for his future. Spend 5 million now, to make 50 in 4 years.
I agree his time in the belt was a much different time, but if there is a way to now work it . . .
New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
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Bigdaddyg1
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
If he gives it to a collective I'm sure he could.Bigdaddyg1 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 2:25 pmInteresting thought. Could (theoretically) a coach use his own money (buyout) to pay his players?AppOrange wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 1:16 pmWell, since Fla gave him a boatload of money ot leave, maybe he spends some of that on key players and coaches as an investment for his future. Spend 5 million now, to make 50 in 4 years.
I agree his time in the belt was a much different time, but if there is a way to now work it . . .
- NattyBumppo'sRevenge
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
Someone should have said that to his coachmike87 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 2:19 pmWe should probably temper our "go for two" talk.NattyBumppo'sRevenge wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 12:32 pmSo this would make the 2nd time he coached at a Sun Belt school. The last time he went for 2 wasn't a good outcome for him.
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BUTCH1991
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
I don't see where he's been hired. I see him linked to both the JMU & Tulane openings.
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Tru2ASU
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
If the Tulane job is in play, wouldn’t that be a better get for him than JMU? Just thinking about resources, conference, recruiting, etc.
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
Sources: Billy Napier is finalizing a five-year deal to become the next head coach at James Madison. A formal announcement is expected on Saturday. Napier is the former coach at Louisiana and Florida.
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
I think after the Flordia run he will need 3 years of sustained winning at JMU to get his next P4 shot. I think he knows he will get enough money to compete at the G5 level so I think this is a safer bet for his long term career.
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
I think this is a great hire for JMU. He had Louisiana rolling along, and he's going to a program with more money and support. The Dukes have been ballsy with their coaching hires, while App has been way too safe, IMO.
We'll see how it pans out, but I could see him back at another P4 program in a couple years.
We'll see how it pans out, but I could see him back at another P4 program in a couple years.

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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
Nobody would take JMU over Tulane if both were on the table. My guess is Tulane moved on.
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t4pizza
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
Not sure how many people realize this little tidbit, buy Napier is the the ONLY full time coach of UF football to have a losing record since the 1940s. The only one! Florida has so many resources and advantages that almost any qualified coach can have a winning record there, any except Napier that is. The dude was exposed and can not coach that well. Any Power program that would hire him again would be very foolish. I hope he signs with JMU, it will not turn out well for them.
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BambooRdApp
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
How have we been "safe". Our last 3 coaches had zero HC experience. "Safe" to me is hiring a coach "with coaching experience"RankinApp wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 5:39 pmI think this is a great hire for JMU. He had Louisiana rolling along, and he's going to a program with more money and support. The Dukes have been ballsy with their coaching hires, while App has been way too safe, IMO.
We'll see how it pans out, but I could see him back at another P4 program in a couple years.
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bcoach
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Re: New JMU Head Coach Billy Napier
ExactlyBambooRdApp wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 6:10 pmHow have we been "safe". Our last 3 coaches had zero HC experience. "Safe" to me is hiring a coach "with coaching experience"RankinApp wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 5:39 pmI think this is a great hire for JMU. He had Louisiana rolling along, and he's going to a program with more money and support. The Dukes have been ballsy with their coaching hires, while App has been way too safe, IMO.
We'll see how it pans out, but I could see him back at another P4 program in a couple years.
