Jury still out on Napier. He’s had one winning season since he’s been here. Further, 8 wins isn’t exactly extension material. That said, I am cautiously optimistic about the future. We have the talent to compete with anyone, on both sides of the ball. As for Golden, he looks like the real deal. His recruiting and in game coaching are elite. His development of players is still under review but looks promising. Hopefully he can make a run in the tournament. 20+ win seasons are great, but if they’re followed up with early exits, they get forgotten real quick. Not apples to apples, but look at Cal. Averaged well over 20 wins, and they ran him out.
Napier needs a 10-2 just to get to respectability. And he's the OC in charge of the offense this coming season. If we go 10-2 then I will call him a good hire. Anything less... and he still might be a viable coach, but I will reserve my opinion. And I will voice my displeasure with the time in which he achieves real success. He needs to master the short yardage play-calls... I said that if he were to watch the 6 over-time game, the Toledo-Pitt bowl game (GameAbove Bowl Game) this past year, then he would see a master class in short yardage plays and play-calling... all in one game. He needs to do more research into short yardage plays that work at a high degree of efficiency. That is the one place in his coaching that I can see he really needs to work on. What I mean is that I do NOT think he possesses that knowledge at this point in his coaching career. He needs to find those plays which he dors NOT have in his play-book.
Not sure these two are in the same stratosphere. Golden is a killer very much up in the air to be friendly for Billy Napier.
All Golden needs is money, and he will do the rest. While money is not the top consideration for Napier. I'm not judging his technique, but it does put us at a disadvantage. There are good people that demand real money at the top, and we will miss out on then simply because they are too expensive to recruit. Some of these expensive players might even be high character dudes, too.
When Golden's team takes floor, I am expecting a win. When Napier's team takes the field, I am hoping and praying for a win,
I will only reply with what I have already posted: Every time you get an optimistic feeling about Napier, go and buy a bottle of scotch, bourbon, or whatever is your spirit of choice. You WILL thank me in the fall.
Did they run him out? The only concern I have is the only losses we have is when our team did not show up. If you can get our boys to show up for every game of the tournament, I think we have a great shot.
Classic Yankees versus the Rays. Just need that perfect coach so the rays can beat the Yankees consistently
Thanks Rick - I think you express it pretty well for Gator Nation about Napier. I like Billy and I suspect the only reason he is still around is because his players believe and don't quit. He has an outstanding character, and is a good recruiter. But 19-19 after three years would not have been survivable for most coaching hires. Like you, MOST followers of the program are talking 10-2 or playoff eligible, or bust. Perhaps with UF's schedule and a few breaks, 9-3 could get the Gators in. My personal feeling is if he gets to 8 or 9 wins and does not make the playoffs, and has the commitments for a top 10 recruiting class, UF will retain him in hopes of keeping DJ around his Jr. year in 26, and that depends on the quality of play in the losses. Regarding the shortcomings you point out, repeating the same bad mistakes on the field with time management and penalties, may be his undoing. Obviously UF better make offensive strides and crack the 30PPG margin. 28, 28 and 29 ppg so far. I sure would like to see mid 30's minimum with this offensive line, rb's, receivers and QB. I want it to work out, but Billy has to bring a successful product to the Gator Nation in year 4, if he wants to stay around. We have been patient, it's past time. UF has to play next season like the last 4 games. I am not saying UF has to win them all of course, but performances like Miami, Tamu, Tx, are just not acceptable. Not with this roster.
The large majority of posters on this board have shown no patients whatsoever. The whineing started from year one and never stopped. A total roster rebuild,injuries to key players and brutal schdules have been ignored so butt hurt keyboard experts can vent.
Do I have to buy a bottle each time I feel that way or can I drown my sorrows each time until the bottle is empty an THEN go buy a new one?
