Billy Napier leaves Arizona State to be head coach at Louisiana-Lafayette

Arizona State’s offensive coordinator Billy Napier is leaving to become the new head coach for Louisiana-Lafayette, he told players and staff Friday.

Napier will coach the Sun Devils in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 29 before he becomes the 19th coach in the history of the Louisiana-Lafayette program, which competes in the Sun Belt Conference.

Reports of Napier being offered the position first surfaced Thursday from Sun Devil Source’s Chris Karpman, who said Napier was offered a five-year contract for a considerably higher amount than he made at Arizona State.

“My family and I are excited and humbled for the opportunity to serve Cajun Nation and our Louisiana football program,” Napier said in a statement released by Louisiana-Lafayette. “We will make it a priority to bring in the best talent from the state of Louisiana and the nation.”

Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards released a statement following the announcement, wishing Napier the best on his new endeavor and announcing that both John Simon and Rob Likens would remain a part of his staff.

I wish Bill nothing but the best in his coaching career. I can assure all Sun Devil fans that I am working diligently on hiring a coaching staff that will fit what we are trying to accomplish at ASU, led by incredibly senior quarterback Manny Wilkins. Assistant Head Coach and Running Backs Coach John Simon and Co-Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach Rob Likens will be a part of my staff going forward.

Napier was recently promoted to associate head coach after Herm Edwards was hired as ASU’s new head coach to replace Todd Graham. Bennett already announced Tuesday he would not be returning next season.

Known as a big-time recruiter, Napier is currently finishing out his first year as ASU’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach following a stint as Alabama’s wide receivers coach for five years.

Prior to working at Alabama, Napier was assistant head coach at Colorado State in 2012 and offensive analyst at Alabama in 2011. From 2003-10, he worked his way from graduate assistant to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Clemson.

Napier’s promotion came with the return of both him and his offensive staff following the firing of Todd Graham and hiring of Herm Edwards as head coach.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with Coach Herm Edwards as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator,” Napier said in a release on Dec. 5.

Napier will officially be introduced as the Louisiana-Lafayette head coach at a press conference on Mon. Dec 18.

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