The sample size is small, one player in a short time frame. And that player hasn't really show the ability to develop under either staff.
He also seems like a very loyal guy. Hopefully, not to a fault. I'm optimistic that he will adjust based on results, but, not overreact with kneejerk responses. Time will tell. I agree with Candy's notion that switching head coaches every year or two guarantees failure. I'll even go one up on that and say you can give that same guarantee when programs switch coaches every 3-4 years. Here we sit.
I don't think AR was "better" last year. Also, besides the current coaches, he also works with a different off the field QB coach. If with all that coaching you can't be trusted to complete a slant pass, screen, etc., there's more to it, and that's his head. I'm sure he can make every throw in practice, but when the real game starts he gets stage fright, forgets all fundamentals and footwork, plus makes bad decisions passing AND running. Surely limits the playbook. Hope he just practices so much that he becomes more automatic, without overthinking/panicking during the play. And learns to relax under pressure. That's hard to master mid-season, but hopefully he keeps improving and makes a big jump yr 2. I'm already pleasantly surprised he bounced back after USF, even if still very inconsistent.
Napier's tenure so far has been completely different than the last two coaches. Both Mullen and McElwain started really quick and created a lot of hype but they couldn't sustain it because they never built a foundation. Muschamp didn't have a good 2011 season, and I know people hate on Muschamp but we were extremely close to going to the National Championship in 2012. I see Billy having a greatly improved year 2 and the way he is managing the program by first building the foundation is how you sustain success.
We can say whatever we want about players and talent and the system but unless we are fielding a middle school team out there the defensive coordinator should be able to recognize our deficiencies such that maybe we can stop more than 10% of 3rd down plays last week and not sit 131 out of 131. You have to be able to scheme and design SOMETHING that OCCASIONALLY stops the other offense. Now if you really want to drive a square peg in a round hole and force the players to learn the basics then you are also teaching them how to become losers every week and that is in itself a really bad move. Im sorry 131/131 is inexcusable and should never happen to a team of our caliber....period.
Billy needs to be given 5 years minimum. At the same time Billy has to show results before the 5-year mark.
I’m sure we will see a major difference next year. I assume half the kids being recruited right now will be either starting or getting major PT by mid season next year.
BN has improved the administration of the program. That has yet to translate to the field. I don't knownif he is the guy or not. I do remember everyone on this board saying the sae things about the last 3-4 coaches. Folks raved about Zook recruting. When we start hanging 35 pts a game and field a nasty defense, I will sing is praises. Not that BN is going to lose any sleep over it. I have been bitten 4 times by Gator coaches. I will say to build from the ground up, it is often a thankless and not exciting task. Clemson was ready to run Dabo out of town on a rail in the early 2010s and after giving up 70 in the orange bowl, they were convinced he was a clown. Coached with one of his former players and he told stories.
And that was with a stacked cupboard. Say what you will, but it takes a bit to install your systems and schemes.
If he does nothing else he has modernized the program. We are spending what it takes and what is needed. Whether he is the right guy to call plays I am less certain of but he is the guy to rebuild the program.
He went 8-5 and lost to Vandy. I have no idea why he and Saban had records so much lower in their first year. Like, I know that no one fires a coach for winning too much and the next coach has to pick up the pieces, improve recruiting, etc. But Saban went from 7-6 in year one to SEC title contention in year two (one recruiting cycle), so it was not just increased talent. Somehow the core of that 08 team really improved. Kirby followed a similar but less dramatic trajectory, with an 8-5 record in year one followed by a 13-2 record in year two.
And culture! Let's not forget the culture and attitude change we needed here! It's not easy the 1st year, they didn't really know the personnel, they gotta be the new guys coming in moving people around, benching veterans and leaders. Not easy, but if it's not done you don't get the full buy-in from the players that the staff knows better and they gotta belive and follow their plan to the T or transfer.
It's gotta be playing faster mentally. Big difference between learning something and running something. I can play a new song on the guitar fairly quickly but it's often choppy and I will flub here and there. It's not as fun playing because I'm thinking too much. After playing so many times it becomes second nature and I can play it without thinking
