Great thing about history. After the passion cools, one can look back objectively and see thing for what they were.
I just wanted to chime in to say I appreciate the long detailed post with actual stats. Zook had the worst luck of almost any coach I've ever seen. In any sport. (Not that I follow all sports that closely.) And as you've pointed out- we played a killer schedule in 03 and actually did pretty well. But all that said about Zook- the bottom line is did he deserve to be fired? Maybe this is harsh, but i think yes. Even back then. I'm not as sure about CBN- even if he goes 5-7. It just feels like the program is trending up and we are doing the little things well. With Zook it felt like the program was going down, and we were definitely NOT doing the little things well. (Players in trouble, etc.) But maybe that's my age and the gut punch of 2013 talking...
We all know he was a good recruiter, but we also know he was not a great coach, as SOS had to demote him mid season for not getting the job done and then he left in 1994. Why foley hired him as the head coach 7 years later was the biggest head scratcher ever. Do you really think that the program that Zook took over was in the same condition as the one Billy took over? The recruits today were in dippers the last time we won an SEC title. We do not have the same draw as a program that we had back then.
While I agree on the recruiting/ staff, I disagree on the little things. It's rare that I hear about our players in trouble these days. It happened a lot w/ Zook. Further I don't recall any frat house brawls or other drama like that. Also- us only losing 2 guys in the spring portal to me says a lot about Napier. If guys could portal under zook IMO we would have lost many. I agree Napier has made a lot of dumb mistakes but I personally think he will get better. I think this year will be the test. Napier himself has said the roster is by far his best. We have a tough schedule and I'm looking for improvement.
By "little things" I meant the dumb mistakes on the field. Traditionally, when a new coach is trying to turn around a team without a ton of talent, they focus on fundamentals and not making dumb mistakes and making teams actually beat you without giving the game away.
You neglected to say that SOS re-promoted him to DC, but Zook turned him down to go to the NFL No it's not. Zook was Foley's 3d choice, and knew he would restock the team. cthe team Zook inherited was a shell of the 2000/2001 teams SOS had. SOS knew the talent going forward was weaker than what he had. We don't? Tell that to the rest of the board.
I kept up with this thread a little and I love SOS for sure but his last full class was baaaad. 2 front 7 players, Sylvester McGrew and Todd McCullough. TM was solid but you can’t keep up with that slim of a D haul.
Damn, son, you tried to write a book, eh? Great post, except for the statement above. Now you are reminding me of a certain Con News Network!!! You just exposed the awful team that Billy inherited from Dan! None of Dan's players were drafted this year, but a portal pick of Billy’s went in the first round! Mullen had an eye for talent too, and he was an exceptional playcaller! But, plain and simple, he quit on his team! I applauded the hire of Dan, but I was only too aware that he needed to go. Forget stats, Dan won with McElwain's players, and lost with his own. Dan's head was not in the game and there were several reasons for it (which I won't mention, because they have mostly been mentioned previously). This thread is about the future of Gator football, so I will cease discussing the past. Billy got the top quarterback in the Country, and it has been awhile since a Gator coach achieved that! BN had a top three recruiting class, but, in the end, he lost prized players due to NIL deals. Thankfully, that has been resolved with Florida Victorious. Clearly, BN has an eye for talent, and I am expecting better in the future. As for BN's playcalling, there are things that need to be cleaned up! The future of Gator football is points, points, and more points, with no taking the foot off the accelerator! I believe the future of Gator football looks very good, but I don't know that it will be this year. The Gators will have to bring their A game for that to happen with this schedule. The first huge test is defending the Swamp. Are the Gators up for that? We will see! Go Gators!!!
Zook also followed the most successful and most loved HBC in our history - of course we felt like the program was going down
Our biggest weaknesses last year were the O-line and linebackers. The o-line could not open running lanes and Mertz was ducking and dodging way to much. It's hard to throw down field when you are side stepping rushers and our defense could not get opponents off the field on 3rd and long situations. The linebacker room looks much deeper and stronger this year, so I am hopeful there. O-line, we are just going to have to wait and see. Lagway has better wheels than Mertz, but he is still going to need a cleaner pocket to make the downfield game work.
You use passive-aggressive a great deal! In case you don't know, passive-aggressive means you feel inferior to others, so you try to cut people down to raise yourself up. Only you can help you but that's up to you!
There are a lot of stupid takes and flat-out incorrect posts on this board. I thought it was praise-worthy when someone got something right. I'll let you decide where yours falls.
When I look at our talent and our schedule. I see 5 to 8 wins, depending on coaching and development of these young players who are yet unproven. I think this same group of kids in a couple of years can be competing with the best teams, but not yet.
I think this soberly tells us the doubters are really doubting us, or I have a very lofty view of the Gators--and maybe both.
