Florida hires Louisiana's Billy Napier as new Head Football Coach (11/28/2021)

[Bubbaloo]

Billy Napier and the Gators invited a full crew of SEC referees to officiate Friday’s practice and Saturday’s scrimmage.

“They were at practice the entire day Friday, they sat in meetings Friday, and then they officiated the scrimmage for us and called it just like they would call it on game day,” Napier said. “I think we benefited from that two-day period and certainly very thankful for the league to create that opportunity.”

The referees were not just there to officiate practice and the scrimmage. Napier wanted the players to learn something from the crew that’s going to be calling their games.

“We had an instructional session, education session, with them as our team speaker on Friday,” Napier said.

Napier has placed an emphasis on limiting penalties and undisciplined plays since stepping foot in Gainesville, and it seems to be working. The Gators just had a handful of penalties during their scrimmage Saturday. Four of the penalties were technical and the other was undisciplined.
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[Bubbaloo]

The start of bringing a program back to life---smart move psycologically to encourage and motivate the players and fans. Accountability, I've heard that somewhere before from somebody.....

 

[Bazza]

Our 2023 recruiting class now up to #9 in the country.

 

[DawgAlum2054]

Our 2023 recruiting class now up to #9 in the country.

View attachment 27852

he is doing great on the trail for a new coach. it is something as a florida fan that would be a breath of fresh air.

 

[Tidewater]

Billy Napier and the Gators invited a full crew of SEC referees to officiate Friday’s practice and Saturday’s scrimmage.

“They were at practice the entire day Friday, they sat in meetings Friday, and then they officiated the scrimmage for us and called it just like they would call it on game day,” Napier said. “I think we benefited from that two-day period and certainly very thankful for the league to create that opportunity.”

The referees were not just there to officiate practice and the scrimmage. Napier wanted the players to learn something from the crew that’s going to be calling their games.

“We had an instructional session, education session, with them as our team speaker on Friday,” Napier said.

Napier has placed an emphasis on limiting penalties and undisciplined plays since stepping foot in Gainesville, and it seems to be working. The Gators just had a handful of penalties during their scrimmage Saturday. Four of the penalties were technical and the other was undisciplined.

Was there a lesson an "what happens when you tackle an opposing player and then throw his shoe 20 yards down the field?"

Sorry Bazza, I could not help myself. Solid player, but a momentary lapse in discipline. If I was his coach, my jaw would have dropped.

 

[Bazza]

Was there a lesson an "what happens when you tackle an opposing player and then throw his shoe 20 yards down the field?"

Sorry Bazza, I could not help myself. Solid player, but a momentary lapse in discipline. If I was his coach, my jaw would have dropped.

Gee I don't remember that, TW......

 

[Bazza]

he is doing great on the trail for a new coach. it is something as a florida fan that would be a breath of fresh air.

Thank you, @DawgAlum2054 !

Out of 20 recruits for next year's class, 16 are from Florida.

Recruiting in-state players has been the main focus for Coach Napier - and it's working!

 

[TideEngineer08]

I'd prefer Florida running the East as opposed to Georgia and certainly Tennessee. Just personal preference as I realize we recruit Florida and Georgia both very heavily.

 

[Bazza]

Hey everyone......with the season underway now I don't want to clutter up the forum with too much Florida stuff. And as excited as I am we got off to a decent start, I want to see what happens when Kentucky comes to town on Saturday before getting too carried away.

But from time to time if you don't mind I'd like to drop a little something into the Coach Napier thread that I feel is worth sharing.

Thanks and enjoy!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1567299570249437186

 

[jjv0004]

Glad we don't play them at their place this year. I would love, love, love if Florida becomes good enough to knock Georgia down. Ughhhh...........I can't stand that team.

 

[dtgreg]

Hey everyone......with the season underway now I don't want to clutter up the forum with too much Florida stuff. And as excited as I am we got off to a decent start, I want to see what happens when Kentucky comes to town on Saturday before getting too carried away.

But from time to time if you don't mind I'd like to drop a little something into the Coach Napier thread that I feel is worth sharing.

Thanks and enjoy!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1567299570249437186

This guy scares me, especially if he's still around after Saban retires. Hopefully he's not the one to fulfill Coach Bryant's prophesy.

 

[Bubbaloo]

Hey everyone......with the season underway now I don't want to clutter up the forum with too much Florida stuff. And as excited as I am we got off to a decent start, I want to see what happens when Kentucky comes to town on Saturday before getting too carried away.

But from time to time if you don't mind I'd like to drop a little something into the Coach Napier thread that I feel is worth sharing.

Thanks and enjoy!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1567299570249437186

Sounds like his Daddy---Motivating the least of them to get the most out of all of them.

 

[DogPatch]

Glad we don't play them at their place this year. I would love, love, love if Florida becomes good enough to knock Georgia down. Ughhhh...........I can't stand that team.

Just give him a little time. They will.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I'd prefer Florida running the East as opposed to Georgia and certainly Tennessee. Just personal preference as I realize we recruit Florida and Georgia both very heavily.

Now that we are bringing in the sooners and tu plus talk of going to a 9 game conference schedule I suspect East and West will have a huge reorganization if they stay in tact at all. Georgia needs a tougher schedule instead of clemsoning the SEC from the east. The Gators rebuild is welcome.

 

[Perrett4Bama]

This guy scares me, especially if he's still around after Saban retires. Hopefully he's not the one to fulfill Coach Bryant's prophesy.

He will do well at FLORIDA and then take the job at BAMA when the GOAT retires......you heard it here first.. From To !

 

[Bazza]

The first 2022 College Football Playoff Rankings came out this week.

Four of the teams Florida already played are in the top 15, and Florida is the only team in the country to have played three in the top 10.

1. Tennessee 8-0
3. Georgia 8-0
10. LSU 6-2
14. Utah 6-2

Florida had a chance to win 2 of those games (Tenn & LSU), and did win another one (Utah).

It shows what Billy Napier is up against with the talent he inherited, lack of quality depth, or brought in through a short recruiting period after getting the job.

Let's just hope that the tough schedule they've been through will payoff over the next 4 games!

 

[CrimsonJazz]

The first 2022 College Football Playoff Rankings came out this week.

Four of the teams Florida already played are in the top 15, and Florida is the only team in the country to have played three in the top 10.

1. Tennessee 8-0
3. Georgia 8-0
10. LSU 6-2
14. Utah 6-2

Florida had a chance to win 2 of those games (Tenn & LSU), and did win another one (Utah).

It shows what Billy Napier is up against with the talent he inherited, lack of quality depth, or brought in through a short recruiting period after getting the job.

Let's just hope that the tough schedule they've been through will payoff over the next 4 games!

I think Napier was a good hire and I still feel that way. For the very life of me, I don't know why so many fans think an instant turnaround is all that common, especially in the SEC. Gator fans I know all seem to have a realistic outlook regarding their program. Mullin left that place an absolute mess, but with the talent in the state, there is absolutely no reason Napier can't restock the cupboard soon and then we will see what he can do. I'm calling it now: UF will be an absolute beast by the 2024 season.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

Napier is a good hire. Give him this year and transfer portal and he's gonna challenge Georgia.

 

[CajunCrimson]

UL was competitive every year there. His first year gone, they are struggling. That’s a little concerning. Or it means he was worth 4-5 wins by himself.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I remain reserved about the Napier hire.