96, whom among us does not get all that? I thought the board would like it, I certainly did. As far as you not getting hyped, that is of little concern to me. Why open the thread and respond if you "Can't get Hyped". It does say "Get Fired Up", so you were warned up front. BTW - Last I checked this was a UF football forum, and a few have responded positively. So your's is not the only opinion of the thread.
You are right, mine is not the only opinion but you seem to be the one getting all pissy when others don't agree with your enthusiasm. Look at your response to other opinions in post 17 as evidence.
It's not really that complicated. Losing coaches who inherited an ideal situation usually fail. See Larry Coker. I'm certain all of Deboer, Saban, shart, Swinney, even Kiffen, did not inherit ideal situations. You can make the case Ryan Day and Shart inherited ideal situations(loaded rosters) but nonetheless those two have so far not degraded their programs. Cherry-picked, better platforms, instant gratification? We can agree Napier has a lot to prove, but not because this is "the age" of instant gratification, but because for two seasons it has appeared they may not have a handle on their roles. Napier was supremely confident our Defense was going to be a strength last season.
I agree with just about everything you stated, but can we still have enthusiasm for the season? I watched the video. Thought it was awesome. It may bring us joy this fall, it may not, but I love what I’m seeing Sunday thru Friday. I guess I’m a glass half full guy …and others on the thread are not.
Luckily (or unluckily) BN gets to show us what the ROI on the tens of millions the UAA has invested in his regime in 72 days. I support the idea that he can turn it around but it's looking more and more aspirational at this point.
This was before the portal. It is almost like comparing apples and oranges now that the roster can drastically change year in and out through transfers. Urban and SOS had transfers but they had to sit a year and most attrition was through NFL draft and graduation. That is not the case now.
I think we have a fundamental difference in how we view the current condition of the roster/program and who did what to get us here. A few things to consider: I've already stated that Billy has not met expectations to date and that he has a great deal to prove at this point. I also shared my opinion that time is running out for him to do so. I assume we're in sync to that point and that our primary difference lies in the belief that Billy should be fired ASAP and replaced with "whomever" because he failed to do what a Saban or a Spurrier did and that no excuses will be accepted. I'm not there yet for a number of reasons. * Neither Saban, nor Urban nor Spurrier (or anyone within hailing distance of those three) is currently available to my knowledge * The individual I personally view as doing more than anyone to "degrade the program" at UF is currently out of CFB altogether - as anything other than a running mouth * Of the examples of early success noted, not one walked into the toxic mess that Billy did - Kiffin never has done much except get run off by a variety of employers and make a lot of enemies, and Swinney was on the hotseat himself after a few years on the job before he landed LT at QB and suddenly became a great coach * Billy has made progress in recruiting that starts with signing academic qualifiers who can actually play P-4 FB, and he is clearly undoing the damage DM did to instate recruiting with his arrogance and laziness * Anyone who seriously thinks our current malaise developed over-night, as a result of the incompetence of one man (even Mullen), hasn't been paying attention for over a decade now I'm sure some will disagree, but bailing on BN after year two, after landing a top-ten recruiting class and despite landing the #1 players at three different positions - including a 5* QB, just seems incredibly ill-considered. Of course, as I alluded to previously, if the coaching gaffes and failed hires continue to cause nightmares throughout the '24 season, the tone of the conversation will and should shift dramatically. Is it 8/31 yet?
Yes. If we see a better win/loss record it's going to be a great season. 7-5 then a bowl win should be a step up.
I have to go, but no, I do not believe he should be fired asap for two reasons: 1) Does no good to fire a coach if you do not have a better HC available. 2) Stricklin would do the hiring. I also believe Napier is just too slow at making corrections and as we know, made some bad hires. Muschamps fault? Mullenzes fault? To recruiting, a staff can recruit very well but it's only half the game. Super important but on its own, not what makes teams great. At this moment, our recruiting is far below the top 20, which is okay, but the season has to make players want to play at UF or Napier is raining on his own parade. We all should be looking for improvement from our players so we know the staff can develop and coordinate. That's pretty basic and no need to debate. Napier has a big opportunity. I really think they can and maybe should win four of our first five. After that, see what happens with Tennessee and Kentucky. If we go into the georgia game 4-3, it's going to take some monumental luck and work to get to seven wins. I hope nobody believes 5 or 6 wins is "fair" and still an improvement because of schedule strength.
Thanks for the amplification. I was originally responding to another poster who was implying just that, but I agree with this take right down the line. But I still think that transitive values are a risky tool in comparing significantly different hiring situations at a time of complete flux in CFB.
A few years ago I watched Napier's Louisiana team beat a ranked Iowa St. team on the road. I was very impressed with his team's performance. Virtually mistake free, hard nosed play. That is why I was happy with his hire. Now I see so many mistakes. We know what they are. From sending out two players with the same number against Utah. Then the almost Keystone Cops like fiasco at the end of the Arky game. Both in year two when great coaches are supposed to have these issues fixed. Again, I hope this is a turnaround year.
Nope. And don’t even think it. Year 3 is Year 3. This is the season of decision. Not next. Not the one after that. I refuse to be five losing seasons and underwhelming recruiting classes deep with people saying, “Year 6 is the new Year 3 because of the Portal, NIL, and expanded playoff.” Napier has this season to prove he has what it takes to coach at UF. Excuses are over.
Yes. Have we been reevaluated as a Too-10 class, and I missed it? Because that’s where we belong. And that’s where we will be again once we start winning.
Uftaipan - With all the changes, recruiting rankings are a bit different. If you are talking HS only, I think you are correct, UF fell out of the top 10, but if you consider the transfer portal and HS recruiting, my understanding is UF is ranked 7th or 8th, depending on the source. But to get to the bottom line, and what continues to be a concern for me, is, even if you consider UF at #7 - There are multiple SEC programs still ahead of the gators in "talent aquisition". In my opinion, UF is located geographically, in arguably the most lucrative recruiting ground in the nation, especially when you add in S and central Georgia. So yes, bottom line, if UF is to return to prominance, the Gators must do better. Frankly, when UF is on solid ground, top 5 classes should be a norm.
More than one site had our 24 class in the top ten: 10- 2024 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings 7- https://247sports.com/season/2024-football/overallteamrankings/ 10- Ranking college football's top 75 recruiting classes: Georgia winds up on top
Fire Billy, and say goodbye to Lagway. Interestingly the Gator podcasters I follow all seem to be closing ranks in supporting "keeping" Billy, after the furor of the end of season collapse and the difficult early signing day. Of course Gator Nation won't tolerate a disaster of a season - say 4 wins, but it seems folks are warming to a 6-6 with a bowl win or a 7 - 5. The issue is, if UF gets rid of him, who is the "HOT" commodity to grab in the coaching ranks? Anyone talking to Belichick? Anyway, I want UF to win and win big too. I hate the last three years, it's been terrible. But Billy is not getting fired before Miami and I say we should support him 100%. UF just may be a surprise even with the schedule. One thng for sure, outside of game 2, it's one huge game after another. If the offensive line comes together and the defense is respectable UF may be very competitive. I can't wait to see the packages for Lagway. Anyway, 8-31 is getting closer!
