Orlando Sentinel: UF AD Scott Stricklin Insists Billy Napier Is Not On Hot Seat

Well stated! It’s amazing how short-sighted (impatient) so many of our fans are. We have the right kind of people running our programs — both have some learning to do on the job and we just need to give them time to settle in and get it rebuilt and rolling. After this long that doesn’t get accomplished in 2 years.

Priority 1 has rightfully been getting our recruiting fired back up again after over a decade of disappointment, and both Golden and Napier are delivering great results there already. This isn’t Billy picking up where his predecessor left off either — it’s starting from scratch to put together a roster with no pre-existing relationships with in-state high schools.

Everything we hear about these guys from recruits and their families is what we want to hear. Billy has demonstrated that he can build a winner at the FCS level — all he needs is time, and the number of so-called fans already calling for his head is disturbing. It’s like they want our program to fail so we can knock everything down and start all over. It’s so destructive.

 

@ocalaman shows his true colors - again

 

I think changing your byline to “You know I’m wrong” would be far more appropriate

 

Do you hold your breath and turn blue when you post so that we all take them seriously?

 

Pretty weird response there

 

Did you just suggest looking to FSU to see how something is done??????

LOL! Yeah....no thx.

 

So him invoking historical precedent (coaching turnover rate/instability/revolving door) is 'blind loyalty', but you doing so (mike white), is 'enlightened' or something?

 

You show your ignorance time and time again. I've been a die hard Gator way longer than you've been breathing.

 

No, my point is attempting to help anyone who is paying attention what is the primary wiring of most Gator fans. Calling for an end to the silliness is okay, just recall that we DID do that with Mike and as a result, along with other reasons this fan base is TIRED. Most of us were excited that we got Napier (and many of us still are) but weren't all that excited as to how the season ended against FSU and in the bowl game. Then comes the excitement for Year 2.

Under no circumstances was the "anxiety" of our signing "only" Mertz justified. He was WAY more than anyone expected. And add to it the maturity of Wilson and a surprise "addition" of Jackson and we looked rather decent. Hope for the future was WAY up there.

What happened? Arkansas at home happened. If you don't recall, look it up and all the dynamics, INCLUDING an OC who had NEVER been one and called plays. That put the team in the "WTH" category instead. Things could have evened out (sort of) with a win at Missouri but the defense let them down. Then add in the defense against LSU and FSU and now you know what happened.

Then, when the path was clear to make amends, what he has done is remove two defensive coaches (likely correct) and lost one by their walking away, replaced them AFTER the early signing period was complete, lost a few notable guys to the Auburns of the world, and...STILL has not addressed STs coaching, O-line coaching or offensive play calling.

Now, does all this mean that Napier is not our coach of the future? Nope, but to think the Gator Faithful did not experience this and other coaches' terrible mistakes post-Meyer and feel like this is a re-run, that IS the definition of "blind loyalty". And if you and others have it, well then okay. I would only say that you and they appear to be in the minority.

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

gringoloco seems about right.

 

No, that is what you choose to do instead of addressing the topic with, if not facts, anecdotal data. Have a take, make it, and leave the pettiness to the FSU fans.

 

We all despise the Noles, but:

2017: 7-6
2018: 5-7
2019: 6-7

2020: 3-6
2021: 5-7
2022: 10-3
2023: 13-1

2017-21: 26-33 (.441)
2022-23: 24-4 (.857)

Every leader from SunTzu, Alexander the Great, George Patton through Bear Bryant and Nick Saban valued learning from your enemies in order to beat them.

 

Da holes? Never. Too proud.

(Fwiw, in *THE Thread*-- when Gator Nation was clamoring for Chip Kelly, et. Al.... b4 Mullin was tapped....Mike Norvell was my preferred selection for HC. Alas, he's now n forever tainted with nolie skank).

 

What is it we're r to learn from the noles? Are your saying we should follow the Noles and in year 6 we might win 10 games? Not even most noles were on board with that until they struck gold in the portal.

I'd rather learn from Texas and Washington.

 

and how do you know that?

 

Yep

 

He's in his 70's-how old are you(physically)?

 

I've learned we could learn from anyone. Our 1980s AirLand Battle doctrine was fashioned after Blitzkrieg. Our Interstate system was influenced by the Autobahn.

 

Get off my lawn, snowflake!!

 

No, just to prove my point. There are other programs which have struggled initially and then succeeded. It is more common that a person failing after a bad two years.