I would use the bowl game as an example. The Beavers were not going to let us run and they single covered all of our receivers. They filled any/all running lanes and didn’t give Miller much time. They also had the talent to do that and to pursue outside when necessary. Our guys can’t do that. They aren’t quick enough to contain the outside and collapse the pocket at the same time. They aren’t quick enough to get to the outside after they have made what they think is an inside read. We also had a lot of dropped passes on the few occasions where Miller was able to make an accurate throw. The positive that I saw this year was that we fought for 60 minutes in all of our games. We haven’t seen that in a while. Napier may not be a Spurrier but then no one is. The elite coaches of today win by stacking the rosters with more 4 and 5 stars than anyone else. Spurrier took whatever he had and made it work. 42 wins in 4 years at USCe, who does that? We are in 1979 territory and it will take 3-4 years to get to 10-11 win seasons.
Or maybe the recruits that will forget more about the game then you will ever know will make the right decision.. let me guess you watch a lot of football so you know right ? Lmao
In 1980, we followed an 0-10-1 year with 8-4, 7-5, 9-2-1, 9-1-1, and 9-1-1. It wasn't all, or even mostly, due to cheating. Pell knew how to build a program. As for USCe from 2010-2013, the 'Cocks had a LOT of talent by then. It's not like SOS started out 11-2. He went 35-28 his first five years, not really much different from Lou Holtz (after his first season). SOS had great recruiters, particularly on defense, and was smart enough as an OC to run ball control instead of the FnG. One of a handful of coaches who completely changed his strategy to suit the strengths of his team, which is a mark of his greatness. Will Napier even be given the latitude of SOS at USCe his first five years? SOS never had a losing season at USCe except his last. If we do the same in 2023, fair or not, the fans will howl, the boosters will get restless, and we may be getting our 8th HBC since 2000, leading the nation in coaching changes. I want Billy to succeed, but I am not sure Gator nation will give him either the time or the latitude...
A football coach at UF cannot suck out loud for 4 years promising year 5 will be great. That is the landscape of this job. Take it or leave it.
I think most of you work for someone else, you are not CEOs . Grumpy knows it all employees, always think it’s the company direction, their boss, their CEO. There is an reason your an employee not a boss. I’m a CEO and it began thinking like one. I had three subpar years of revenue growth, but I was laying the foundation. Last year I tweaked one hire and it all clicked. We netted 1.5 million, which was x4 from 2021. It was the players, not the coach. Losers blame, winners put in the work.
Absolutely agree, we look decimated in every position.this will be a long rebuild. I know we’re not patient, but we have to be. BN is a good coach he has proven it albeit at a lower level, but give this man an honest chance. His recruiting just this year is heads and shoulders above where it has been in many years. Good coaches in the right positions can bring us a great time, but just like good food the recipe needs time to marinate.
Unfortunately you are most likely correct. Many Gator fans need to wake up to the reality of who/what we were/are post Mullen. Any other good coaches do, and we won’t be attractive if we look like Auburn
I like Jessie but I disagree with him on his comment. Unfortunately, the Gator Brand is badly tarnished, due to bad coaching hires since Meyer ditched UF (excluding Napier for now). In the past twelve seasons UF has endured too many embarrassing games and questionable behavior on/off the field. In other words, it going to take more than one block buster recruiting season to heal the Gator Brand. It is also going to take Napier to upgrade his game day coaching skills and coaching staff. Also, it is going to take the Gator fans to stay behind the Gators.
Yeah, but have you noticed what the standard for "suck out loud" has now become? It was once anything less than 9 wins -- at worst. So be it, then. Win within 2-3 years or you're gone. Who's #8...then #9...then #10? Will we get to ten coaches from 2010 to 2030?
I agree with this. It starts with rebuilding the program foundation through infrastructure, staff, coaching, players, and establishing a winning culture. There is no quick fix to doing that and Gator fans will have to temper expectations until we are back. The question is whether we have the right head coach to make the transition and from everything I have seen with BN, he is the right person. I think Palmer is right on about the timing.
What can I say? Obviously, I hope you’re right. I hope the recruits don’t take into account this disastrous season, the last game in particular, and all sign with UF, ushering in a new golden age. I’m just saying manage your expectations. Yesterday was a PR nightmare. There’s no polishing that turd.
Let’s see .. Miller first time career start, not to mention preparing for a legit 14 ranked team. That’s just the start! Torrence first ever UF all American leaves for the league now we have Kamryn Waites Red shirt sophomore getting his first ever start. Let’s not forget gouraige leaves for the NFL so now you are down another lineman! Wingos second start and MLB he goes down with an injury .. let’s talk about the receivers, we are down to our 3rd and fourth string minus Pearsal and you expected this team to move the ball and be competitive??? Dude Oregon never put 8 men in the box and stayed in man coverage all day and still were able to get enough pressure on Miller to shut him down plus make the run game look horrible.. This was a practice squad UF team playing the 14th ranked team in the country. What I did see is guys like shemar James true freshman and Wilson making plays.. the future is bright this is a complete tear down and rebuild!
I sure as hell hope they think that rather than thinking "whoah...what a trainwreck...I'm staying as far away from that as I can."
I would agree with the one exception that our facilities aren't at the rock bottom too like they were in 1978. Pell not only had to go out and get the Jimmy's and Joe's, he had to go out and raise money to get our facilities up to top tier SEC level and set up booster organizations. The current coach has walked into the best facilities situation since Spurrier arrived to take over from Galen Hall. He just has to fix the product on the field....lets hope he can succeed.
Its all about progression. The coach will get to move forward with his program if the results do as well. Ask Mac/Mus/Mullen how a wheels-fall-off season affected their future. Napier absolutely cannot afford one of those in 2023.
If the money is right, it won't matter. They will come. All kidding aside, the only thing that losing this last game means to the Gators' football recruting is that the price of the top end recruits for us just went up.
By the trail, I assume you mean that includes the portal because IMO that is the only way he can avoid another catastrophic season in 2023. As of today we are down to about 2 scholarship LB's on the roster and only one commitment. The situation at that position is dire.