In this portal/NIL era, it's just a necessary part of successful coaching to find those high level transfers to fill gaps and no position has made the dramatic difference across the sport like getting the right portal QB. We can call that coach lucky for being successful or we can give them credit for finding and getting the right guy at the right time. So good job, Cristobal. That's what successful coaches these days do. They needed to upgrade that position and they sure did. Ward's been a real difference maker. And that sucks. But it's true.
I hear you Taipan - but how did you like any of the other PCs from our coaches who are losing. Mullen pissed me off more with his flip attitude
Very true - and for counterpoint, Billy has shown to have a great program recruiting kids out of high school. Look at who he’s brought in that we’re seeing take their first snaps. Mastering both would be great, but we all know that high school recruiting produces more lasting results
Same. McElwain’s goofery. Same. Muschamp’s closed-off program. Same. Zook’s “that’s correctable” without ever correcting it. Same.
Here is what I've noticed: some fans "like some coaches" based on them being "amiable", a good guy or funny. Others may hate the same coach for being goofy, slow talking, or whatever. But nobody likes any press conference when their team loses repeatedly. After a win you can act like saban/bellicick and that is fine. Lose repeatedly like our last 4 hires and whatever tap dancing/schtick you got going (process, correctable, golly, etc) doesn't cut it. Being a nice guy/jerk is not the job. Recruit, train, win and the press conference means nothing.
Just deciding n on who our coach will be either way opens up nil contracts. The uncertainty is the biggest obstacle
80 % or so need to be homegrown to be successful and the other 20% need to fill holes and be legit contributors. The successful longterm programs probably wont be getting 50% from the portal.
And that's the trick of portal recruiting. Assuming you're only going to have them for a year or two, which ones are worth it? Who can step in immediately into a position of need and make a real difference? And since we've already lost starters to the portal--including to direct rivals--how do we keep who he recruited out of HS and prevent them from being the one year rental somewhere else when all of their development and growing pains have happened here? Because bottom to middle of the road teams, and that's where we currently are, will be in constant danger of losing top players who can near instantly jump from uncertainties or rebuilds into being the final pieces of someone else's playoff puzzle. I don't like it, but it's currently where we all live. And that one year rental is likely to lead Miami to the playoffs and their first ACC title ever. Definitely think they'd say he is worth the rental price.
While that's true. I've seen many a great qb wasted. It takes a team to win. We seem headed in the right direction in that or youth is taking over. I'm just worried that it is too little too late... Next year's hs recruiting is the worst I've ever seen at Florida. I can still see a way forward for napier. We all know what it is. And if he can't do it, we may well be back to a reset after losing the talent on the team to the portal. Rather than worry about it, Im just waiting it out but if i did a best, middle, worst case scenario i certainly have a worst in mind.
I think he's done well so far in HS recruiting, but I wouldn't quite call it great. We still can't seem to land enough OL in numbers or quality, and that's been a position of need. And the late defections last time hurt what should have been an even better recruiting class. But obviously the real problem isn't what he's accomplished in HS recruiting so far but in what's coming next, with this fourth class having any shot whatsoever. A statement win Saturday could change many minds. But nearly all the top kids will sign in only four weeks and very few of them have us as a credible option right now.
Sorry Skink...gotta disagree on this one. Napier has never finished with a HS recruiting rank in the top 10 and the current class is in the basement. This is not "great" recruiting. Its arguably no better than his last 3 predecessors. We do have some good players that Napier has recruited. I do think his eye for talent is good. Unfortunately, the results on the field haven't added up to the recruiting rank and the team is consistently underachieving their perceived talent.
Some things are endearing or quirky when you're dating and in love. But as soon as things go south they grate on your nerves and after you break up they were obnoxious if not unbearable. Winning coaches can get away with lots of oddball stuff. Losing coaches breath wrong and never use the right fork.
