Billy Napier Press Conference 3/7

He sounds happy with the team. Like where we all hoped we'd be in year 2 but it was more like year 1. Yeah I know, show it on the field. But I'll be optimistic along with him. He's aimimg for the playoffs.

 

He needs to be aiming for a winning season. This season. Or he’ll be aiming for the playoffs as an analyst for some other team.

 

I don’t care how he sounds and I don’t care about his optimism. I care whether he produces more wins than losses. If he does, I will care about what he says. Year 3 is unfortunately the “Show me, don’t tell me” year.

 

Well he can’t produce those wins in the off-season so you’ll just have to wait until fall.

 

Hello ajo -
I think you sum up perfectly the Gator fan base disposition.
I call it "scoreboard sucking affliction"

I have been a stanch defender of CBN. But it's pretty obvious he has "spent" the good will and patience capital, alloted to a new hire.

Time to have some fun and experience winning football again!

Go Gators

 

To add a little energy to CBN watch the PC at x2 play back speed.

 

He has to know he is coaching for his job this year. What worries me is that great coaches show real team improvement in year two. Didn't see that with CBN. If it shows up this year then fine. The stupid mistakes (you all know about them) must stop.

 

Very good press conference IMO. Liked the content and the way it was delivered. He’s def more upbeat, talking with more zip, more concise. I am excited and eager for season three. I think we’re gonna surprise some folks.

GO GATORS
#beatmiami

 

He seems more cognizant of his "yeah no"s.

 

Partially correct. He can’t demonstrate those wins until the fall, but earning them happens now, during the offseason. Last year’s opening performance against Utah strongly suggested that very little serious preparation went into the offseason. I think we will know a lot about this team and Napier’s future based on what happens against Miami.

 

I think much of Gator Nation see's it the same way.
If I was Napier, I would post a big ass poster in every locker room that reads:

UF 2024 season schedule

MIAMI

*** Men, we have one (1) game on the schedule next season.

MIAMI.
Repeat: Miami

Say it: MIAMI

OK, it's settled M-I-A-M-I

 

Yep. If he needs to hire historians to come in and explain why it is we hate Miami for stuff that happened before any of these players were born, then so be it. Leave nothing on the table. Miami might not be a must-win the WW2 sense of the term, but it sure is in the Napier-2025 sense of the term.

 

Loser leaves town game.

You can be sure Mario is hearing something similar. The only difference is that Mario has first hand experience of why this is bitter rivalry.

 

Napier was confident and self assured last season regarding our Defense. Hopefully we actually improve this season and what he garners from practice isn't a mirage.

God I hope we beat scUM.

 

Pink slip bowl.

 

I'm on record as a concerned but optimistic supporter. It doesn't bother me in the slightest that some initial coaching staff personnel didn't work out given some of the new pieces put in place. That only lasts for so long but I think the portal and NIL along with whatever dissension on the coaching staff wrecked his initial efforts.

With that said, his comments about the defense really shook my confidence. Something to the effect of "I don't think people know what we know" regarding the defense followed by an even worse defensive performance than the year before.

I hope we see significant improvement this year and I think we will but I can't take anything he says preseason too seriously until we see results. It starts with Miami. He HAS to put out a quality product game one. The rest will follow suit if he does that.

 

Interesting he stayed late watching receiver film

 

I was recently out of state visiting family, wearing a Gator shirt and had a Gator fan come up to me. First thing he said was can u believe out schedule next year.

After a brief conversation our conclusion was if Napier wins 8 or more games next year he might deserve to be SEC coach of the year. If he doesn't win at least 6 , adios. Here's hopeful but not optimistic.