Incoming UF head coach Billy Napier has been named the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year, the conference announced on Thursday.
After losing their season opener to Texas, Napier’s 24th-ranked Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns have reeled off 11 consecutive victories. They’ll face Appalachian State on Saturday in pursuit of their second consecutive conference championship.
It was their fourth consecutive West division title, and it marked the first time in school history that they went undefeated against their Sun Belt slate. They’re one of just 10 teams in the FBS to win 11 games this year.
With Thursday’s announcement, Napier became the first coach in Louisiana history to be named Coach of the Year twice.
Additionally, a program-record 16 Ragin’ Cajuns were selected to the Sun Belt All-Conference teams. Offensive linemen Max Mitchell and O’Cyrus Torrence, punter Rhys Burns, and all-purpose back Chris Smith were voted to the first team. Running back Montrell Johnson was named the Freshman of the Year.
Napier has posted a 39-12 record overall in Lafayette entering this weekend’s championship game. He will arrive in Gainesville on Sunday and begin rebuilding the Gators.