Culture Shock, Part II: inside the Billy Napier rebuild of the Florida Gators

I agree. It might help some of us better understand this foundational stage Coach Napier has been busy building and how much last year can motivate these new, different character, players we have.

Anyone who has played or coached also knows how important, and what an intangible value, team cohesion is.

 

Man that was a very interesting read... Affable is a word I try to use as much as I can... Lol.

 

I don't know if I've ever been prouder to be a UF alum and fan.

I think we finally have someone who can live up to the standard of ethics and integrity set by Spurrier. And who should reap the rewards.

 

I’m much more excited for the season now than I was before reading the article. It certainly explains why Stricklin was all in on Napier. I’m still skeptical of his play calling, but man, he has a plan and is thoroughly executing it.

 

This article is better than Part 1.

My only worry is does Napier have every part of the process down except the Xs and Os.

I will atrribute the below-average play of last year to the Mullen mess. This year I’m gonna be focusing on Billy’s Xs and Os more than anything.

I will agree that football is about relationships but you need to also coach those talented guys correctly.

Another 6-7 showing and Billy enters 2024 with Gator Nation at DefCon 1.

 

I like what I read in that article, especially the emphasis on character and team accountability. I was able to meet Coach Spurrier and very briefly talk to him at Gator Gathering in Hernando County the summer of ‘90 before he ever coached a game for us. He was there (I’m sure) at the invitation of a couple well known local Bull Gators. When I asked him what he looked for in recruits he responded, “Good citizens.” I loved that answer and have wished for the same standard from every one of our coaches. Maybe we are back to the point where that can be a first focus for us again, at least I hope so. See you in SLC in just a few days. Go Gators!

 

Spurrier is old school. I imagine he and his teammates at UF were of a generation that played by the rules because winning any other way blows.

Napier's father appeared to be cut from the same cloth and his son honors that.

Meyer talked about recruiting character, as many coaches do. Must be hard these days but sounds like we might be getting a leg up.

 

I like the foundation BN is forming. Patience.

 

The doctors have medications they can prescribe to people that have anxiety and worry for no reason. Most people that suffer from these conditions are also prone to focusing on meaningless things and being impatient.

 

Xs and Os is meaningless?

 

My only problem with these expose' articles is they are published after every coaching change and the tone is generally "oh, look at all this bad stuff the coach x and his regime did, New guy is a breath of fresh air." I can still recall all the garbage written about cleaning up the mess that Urban made. Heck if 2 NC's in a 6 year period is a mess, then I'll take a mess every time. There were some things that could have been tweaked, but Muschamp threw out the baby along with the bath water. These kind of articles generally have little correlation with the actual prospects of the "new guy," and generally come across as a little rah-rah. Of course, if they keep publishing them eventually, like the weatherman, they will be right.

Don't get me wrong, I like our new coach and I think he will succeed, I just always take these articles with a grain of salt.

 

Let’s hope Napier’s relationships with his players translates to wins on the football field.

It looks like players will want to stay here and not transfer out in the future.

Skipping bowl games to prevent injuries before going to the NFL? Remains to be seen.

 

All true. Unfortunately, he's also the opposite of Mullen as an OC. Don't get me wrong, BN is not a bad OC, but he's no Mullen either. As a total package, he's far superior to Mullen, that doesn't he doesn't have shortcomings, however.

 

"ALL IN" on Billy Napier.

 

Sometimes it takes more than one season to exorcise the demons that were cast by a prior coach. It would be fare to say that Napier inherited a dumpster fire when he came on board. The first years is to stabilize the situation. The second year is to move forward. I see three two promising omens that favor the Napier and the Gators. One is that recruiting is picking up. The other is that the Portal brought in some what appear to be good players.
I agree with you that the improvement of the Xs and Os needs to be seen this year.

me

 

This article is about more than just leading a football team. It’s about how any organization should be led.

 

Mullen can draw them up well. To say Napier is the opposite is nonsensical. He hasn't had all the pieces in place, including a competent QB.

 

What an inspiring read.

I still thing this season is going to be a major challenge for everyone. Including us fans. There is a very strong chance our win-loss numbers will not be all that good. But I am confident we will still see results from these changes to the program, especially as the season progresses.

It's great to be a Florida Gator.

 

6-7 is expected so it’ll be no surprise to most.