Florida head coach Billy Napier was thrown a life raft by athletic director Scott Stricklin on Thursday when he ended speculation about a coaching change by publicly committing to Napier’s return next season.”UF’s commitment to excellence and a championship-caliber program is unwavering,” Stricklin said in his statement. “In these times of change across college athletics, we are dedicated to a disciplined, stable approach that is focused on long-term sustained success for Gator athletes, recruits and fans.”I am confident that Billy will meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. We will work alongside him to support any changes needed to elevate Gator football. As college athletics evolves, UF is committed to embracing innovation and strategy, ensuring the Gators thrive in today’s competitive landscape.”Napier has the Gators at 4-4 entering this week but there’s tough sledding ahead in the SEC with games against No. 5 Texas, No. 14 LSU, No. 16 Ole Miss and the annual rivalry game with Florida State remaining. Napier is 15-18 as Florida head coach and was hired before the start of the 2022 season to replace Dan Mullen.There are complications for Florida parting with Napier now because the university is operating without a president, and the head coach has a buyout of $20 million.Florida faces the Longhorns in Austin on Saturday, and the Gators are getting walk-on Aidan Warner ready to make the start because of injuries to Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway.Lagway left last week’s loss to Georgia and was replaced by Warner, a transfer from Yale. The freshman completed 7 of 22 passes with an interception and was sacked twice.”I think he’s gotten a little better each day,” Napier said of Warner’s progress. “I think he’s gotten a little more comfortable. He’s obviously taking a few more reps than he normally does.”The Gators are giving Lagway, who is returning to his home state of Texas, every opportunity to bounce back from a hamstring injury. After being carted off the field against Georgia, Lagway watched the second half from the sideline propped up by crutches.Asked for an update Wednesday, Napier said Lagway’s situation is “obviously touch and go. Look, the guy’s giving it his best shot.”