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

[Bazza]

What’s the impetus behind the “Blackout” game against R-kansas?

TBH I really have no idea. Maybe just something "different" to create some interest. There's probably a better explanation.....

Edit - I put the question to the brain trust......will let you know what they say.....

 

[Bazza]

What’s the impetus behind the “Blackout” game against R-kansas?

Gators Set to Wear Black Uniforms for Saluting Those Who Serve Game - Florida Gators

The Florida football team will take on Arkansas Nov. 4 during this year's 'Saluting Those Who Serve' game.

floridagators.com

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators will honor members of the armed forces, veterans and local first responders in style when they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks Nov. 4 during this year's 'Saluting Those Who Serve' game, presented by VyStar Credit Union.

As part of this year's honoring, the Florida football team will wear alternate black uniforms for the first time in school history.

In recognition of the teamwork spirit and the core values that characterize military members and first responders, each player's nameplate on the back of their jersey will display one of five words that are synonymous with the principles embodied by those who serve.

The five terms, which were selected by a representative of each branch of the military and first responders, are Commitment, Courage, Excellence, Honor and Integrity.

 

[Bazza]

Listening to Coach Napier here....it's very apparent to me how much he's taken from his association with Coach Saban.....something I was hoping we'd see.......a badly needed change in culture. We are not there yet. But I really like what I am seeing.....

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

Listening to Coach Napier here....it's very apparent to me how much he's taken from his association with Coach Saban.....something I was hoping we'd see.......a badly needed change in culture. We are not there yet. But I really like what I am seeing.....

FSU is gonna get the Gators first!

 

[Tenntiderman]

Napier turned a corner back in the Spring. Started paying off Saturday night. Gators looking solid. He is a coach.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

I think UF is a couple of years away. UT put together a "under performance" last week.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I think UF is a couple of years away. UT put together a "under performance" last week.

Florida took advantage though. It’s one thing for a good team to leave the game hanging out there, it means something when the lesser talented team wrests it away from them, even if it was at home.

 

[Bazza]

FSU is gonna get the Gators first!

It's certainly a possibility. They are a fantastic team right now. And I'm glad they are because win lose or draw....I want us to play the very best teams out there.

I'll tell you though - there are two big reasons, aside from Coach Napier, I'm optimistic about us doing well this year:

1. Our QB Graham Mertz has shown he is a warrior. We didn't really know how that would work out so that's something worth noting.

2. Then there's the improvement in our defense under our new DC Austin Armstrong.

Heck...none of really know how things will work out each season.

We'll see what happens.....

 

[Padreruf]

It's certainly a possibility. They are a fantastic team right now. And I'm glad they are because win lose or draw....I want us to play the very best teams out there.

I'll tell you though - there are two big reasons, aside from Coach Napier, I'm optimistic about us doing well this year:

1. Our QB Graham Mertz has shown he is a warrior. We didn't really know how that would work out so that's something worth noting.

2. Then there's the improvement in our defense under our new DC Austin Armstrong.

Heck...none of really know how things will work out each season.

We'll see what happens.....

If I recall Armstrong was to be the LB coach at UA and obviously received a better offer!

 

[Bazza]

If I recall Armstrong was to be the LB coach at UA and obviously received a better offer!

That's correct. Coach Saban hired him as your Inside LB Coach and then a month later he "was offered" the DC position with us.

"Was offered" in quotes because I really don't know how it all went down.

 

[Moro Creek]

Napier put together an excellent game plan for ucheat. He is also recruiting well. I will be surprised if he does not turn out to be outstanding. It was a fun atmosphere watching them Saturday night.

 

[Tidewater]

Listening to Coach Napier here....it's very apparent to me how much he's taken from his association with Coach Saban.....something I was hoping we'd see.......a badly needed change in culture. We are not there yet. But I really like what I am seeing.....

It tickled me to see Tennessee lose. In Gainesville. Again.

 

[81usaf92]

I think the moving trucks and for sale signs will be awaiting Billy on his return to Gainesville

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I think the moving trucks and for sale signs will be awaiting Billy on his return to Gainesville

Yeah, I really thought he was going to do well. I was wrong.His ceiling seems to be lower tier schools.

 

[lowend]

Yeah, I really thought he was going to do well. I was wrong.His ceiling seems to be lower tier schools.

Just goes to show what a crapshoot hiring a coach is. Hot young coordinator, lower level proven coach, grizzled veteran position coach....you never know what they're going to do until they do it.

 

[81usaf92]

Just goes to show what a crapshoot hiring a coach is. Hot young coordinator, lower level proven coach, grizzled veteran position coach....you never know what they're going to do until they do it.

The problem is that Florida is not a place where you take unnecessary gambles on coaching. Especially not with G5 darlings. Too much talent in the conference.

 

[lowend]

The problem is that Florida is not a place where you take unnecessary gambles on coaching. Especially not with G5 darlings. Too much talent in the conference.

Agreed. We see where on the job training has gotten us in the past.

 

[BamaMoon]

They looked locked in on the first drive and then reality set in.

 

[Bazza]

I'd like to see Billy get an offensive coordinator next season. I think I read somewhere where he is going to look into it. I really wanted us to get Todd Monken when he left Georgia last year but doubt it was even something our program looked at. I really think we would benefit from the right person calling plays and helping with the offense.

As far as today's loss goes....no one has scored more against Georgia this year except UAB.

We came in un-ranked.

No one expected a Gator win.

We have the youngest group of starters in the Power 5 and are currently ranked #3 in next year's recruiting rankings.

And all of a sudden..........some are saying Billy is going to be fired?

 

[Tenntiderman]

I'd like to see Billy get an offensive coordinator next season. I think I read somewhere where he is going to look into it. I really wanted us to get Todd Monken when he left Georgia last year but doubt it was even something our program looked at. I really think we would benefit from the right person calling plays and helping with the offense.

As far as today's loss goes....no one has scored more against Georgia this year except UAB.

We came in un-ranked.

No one expected a Gator win.

We have the youngest group of starters in the Power 5 and are currently ranked #3 in next year's recruiting rankings.

And all of a sudden..........some are saying Billy is going to be fired?

'24 will be a huge year. An OC was mentioned earlier, but I think some Defensive hires would help more than anything.