Billy Gonzales gives heartfelt ‘thank you’ for opportunity to serve as Florida’s interim coach
By Mark Kern
Published:
Billy Gonzales has filled in as the interim coach at Florida since the school announced that it would be firing Billy Napier early in the season. On Saturday, the Gators finished off their season with a convincing 40-21 victory against in-state rival Florida State to finish the year at 4-8.
Even though it was a tough year for the Gators, the team continued to battle for its interim coach and allowed him to go out a winner. After the win, Gonzales shared a heartfelt message with reporters thanking the university and his players for the opportunity.
“With this being the last time for me to talk with you, I want to take this time to think Mr. Scott Stricklin for the opportunity to lead this program the last six weeks,” Gonzales told reporters. “I appreciate the trust in me he had to do the job and to lead the team with a victory. Finishing it with a win makes it more special. I want to thank the players for sticking together and staying the course over the last few weeks. It will always be about the players. I want to thank you all (media) for your professionalism and generosity during my time leading the program.
Gonzales has coached three different times in Gainesville in many different roles. From 2005 to 2009, he spent time as the receiver’s coach. In 2018, he came back as the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers. He switched to the passing game coordinator in 2020.
In 2022, he went to Florida Atlantic to be the receiver’s coach, but he returned to Florida in 2023 again as the wide receiver coach.
The Gators are rumored to be in zeroing in on Tulane coach Jon Sumrall as the next guy in Gainesville, but Gonzales was able to go out a winner in his final game for Florida.
