Sorry, but that just isn’t so. I do not dispute that NIL is the primary motivator, but it isn’t the only one. Recruits also want to go somewhere they think is going to give them the best coaching and preparation for the next level. Record is a strong indicator of where they are going to receive that. Recruits absolutely care about going to a winning program. No one worth the water they carry in their body doesn’t care about winning.
True whether we like it or not (and no one has to). The pundits are calling this game against Miami the “Hotseat Bowl.” I didn’t make it up. And the only point of disagreement seems to be whether both coaches are already on the hotseat or that the loser will find himself firmly planted there while the winner earns some grace. I find myself more in agreement with the second view.
You're saying you KNOW Napier did that level of due diligence and from that created the plan he presented to Admin?
perhaps, given this ridiculous schedule that may or not be a reasonable expectation. also the media can speculate without having to deal with the fallout of another coaching change - this continued high turnover is not a good look at all
Agreed. Safe to say his odds of getting canned rise substantially if losses can be directly attributed to repeats of, or strong similarities to, issues Napier himself has displayed in the past (e.g. his tendency to go for the ankle not the throat.)
The “pundits” were also telling us that FSU belonged in the playoffs last year and would have an easy time with Tech last weekend. Pundits make shit up to get clicks.
Not only is it not a good look, it means another start over. We need to face reality here. Great coaches don’t grow on trees and for a multitude of reasons, the few really good to great coaches have shown virtually no interest in coming here in our last six coaching searches. Not to mention that our current roster will be poached before the new coach even signs his contract.
We're in a lot better shape as far as facilities and support. A great coach would give us a look if timing was right. But I expect Napier will succeed with what he's built and how the administration and money has stepped up. Also, even with a seat on fire he's got a +1 year by hiring an OC if it came down to it. I hope Callaway has some freedom to fly this year though.
Well, if we were 7-5 then 8-4 and positioned better this season, which we are, I would agree that if the "media" is talking about Billy's hot seat, they would be off base. But under the circumstances, it's not unsupported click bait. That said, I hope we do not change coaches until a really strong next guy is available.
Makes you wonder if it was "the firm" that was causing the lack of buzz around what really should be a great job.
As is the following: What has not helped is the way Florida has played. In Year 1, Florida had future No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson but won just six games. Last year, special teams gaffes turned the Gators into a punchline at times. Napier never hired a special teams coordinator, and mistakes cost Florida in multiple games. Against Utah in the season opener, the Gators got a penalty after two players wearing the same number went onto the field during a punt, resulting in a penalty. The Utes got a first down and eventually scored on the drive in a 24-11 victory. Later in the season against Arkansas, the field goal unit was coming onto the field as the offense was trying to spike the ball at the end of regulation to set up a game-winning field goal. The penalty forced a longer kick, which Trey Smack missed. Florida ranked in the bottom four in the SEC in field goal percentage (.750). And though the Gators made improvements on defense, they struggled on that side of the ball as well. They allowed Missouri to convert a fourth-and-17 with 38 seconds remaining, leading to a last-second field goal to give the Tigers a come-from-behind win. Florida ended last season on a five-game losing streak. In three of those games, the Gators had a fourth-quarter lead. Napier hasn't won nor lost a game or recruit because of facilities. Our program was not in its state because we did not have facilities, but because our previous coaches quit on our team or were narrow in their vision. Napier has vision but failed to organize the team and coach well. If he and they have improved, we will improve.
Aside from Chip Kelly, who have we pursued that would have been considered a great coach? Oddly, we were all so sure Kelly was going to be our next coach and then after he fell out he was in an interview saying "Florida never offered me the job", so who knows what our Admin was really looking for in their searches. I would think thanks to facility and budget improvements we are more attractive now.
We agree on all of that. I don't want any of that. Where I push back is on the "no matter what" implied by agreeing that Napier should have a fourth year before we see what the third year looks like. If it becomes painfully obvious this season that we need to make a change, then we need to make that change, not defer for another year. As bad as what you describe sounds, having a lost season in 2025 -- where everyone knows beyond all doubt Napier is a dead man walking, but, hey, we're saving some buyout cash -- sounds way worse. There is a point of intolerance this season. We need to agree on that even if we might disagree at the moment where that point is.
