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

[mlh]

Billy's replacement?

 

[tusks_n_raider]

4 games into the season has provided some more analysis on where we are with Billy at the wheel.

To be fair, I don't have any more insights into the situation than anyone else would, except for perhaps watching more of our games, so here are a couple thoughts based just on that.

Billy is in his 4th year now and I have to say things aren't going as great as we (as fans) were led to believe they would by this point in his tenure here.

When I say things aren't going great - the biggest issue is we are losing more football games than winning. Losing games is bad enough but when your 4 year average is sub .500 - that's a problem!

There are many who are advocating for Billy to be fired and replaced.

I guess I could be on board with that but let me offer some additional perspective.

Florida's biggest problem right now is the offense. Play calling being the #1 issue. But I would also include many other offense-related items. Like in-game management - utilization of time-outs, substitutions, 4th down or FG decisions, stuff like that.

He is clearly over his head in ALL of this stuff.

But I would say recruiting is going well.....our defense is playing well.....and he seems to be a very likeable coach by his players. All very important components for a successful program.

So if the main issue is offense....why not bring someone in and let them run it. For an example of how this would work look no further than Mizzouri, who brought in Kirby Moore in 2023.

Coach Moore's bio:

Kirby Moore - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This was a very smart move by Coach Drinkwitz, who recognized his own limitations and was honest about it enough with himself to put the program ahead of his ego.

Which leads us back to Billy. Why in the world is he a) not understanding how bad he is at offensive play calling/game management and b) not understanding how easy this would be to fix?

If you listen to any of his post-game pressers...he never takes responsibility for anything. So has lost my respect just on that alone.

Bottom line (for me) is if things continue to head in the same direction, his ego is going to end up with a 4th in a row losing season for the Gators and ultimately he will be let go.

===============

As for DJ Lagway's fall off from last year. It's due to two things. He was injured most of this year prior to the season start and thus unable to practice. OK - that stuff happens. But how he has been mis-managed by Billy is reprehensible. Here's why:

1. We have a bonifide second string QB who could step in and take snaps with little drop off. His name is Trammel Jones, Jr. He played the entire 2nd half of our first game and did fantastic. A competent head coach/offensive coordinator would have utilized him at first sign of DJ's having problem during a game. Instead Billy allows a 5 interception game by DJ.

2. We have a bonifide running back room. Some of the best in college football. Only you wouldn't know it because Billy (all of a sudden) has gone away from the run game and is more pass heavy with his play calling...which blows my mind considering the facts mentioned above about DJ needing more time to get his groove back.

When Coach Spurrier was coach he had no problem at all (as most here can remember) at swapping out QB's if he felt he needed to to get a better result.

Billy doesn't seem to understand a simple concept such as this.

So before you point fingers at DJ being a bad QB or being the problem - maybe think about what I just said and it may make more sense wrt what we see happening.

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Going forward I have no idea what happens other than what I just said.

The very worst part of all of it is how much of this is hurting our players. I feel so bad for them.

Thanks for giving me a platform here to provide my thoughts. And for all the kindness and support for the Gators. This is a very smart board and it's a privilege to be part of the Tide family.

Now go take care of business on Saturday!!!

I don’t know if it helps but I hope you guys beat Texas in your upcoming game.

I just looked at your remaining schedule and hope you win them all.

Well depending on how Bama fares I’ll get back to you on FSU but if we are out of the CFBP race then sure beat FSU too… lol

But in general I’d rather Florida be an upper tier SEC team.

It’s good for the SEC for Florida vs UGA/Tenn/AU/LSU/FSU etc to be Marquee matchups.

Good Luck rest of season Bazza and hopefully things get back on track.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

So has an AD ever fired a HC from calling plays?

We have been seeing all kinds of precedents lately, wouldn’t be surprised to see that happen now.

Billy is a dead man walking anyways...

 

[Bazza]

So has an AD ever fired a HC from calling plays?

We have been seeing all kinds of precedents lately, wouldn’t be surprised to see that happen now.

Billy is a dead man walking anyways...

I'm glad you mentioned the "AD" because he certainly plays a significant role in all of this, as in the case of all college programs.

The Todd Golden hire is providing plenty of cover for him (our AD is Scott Stricklin) right now.

Even so, in my mind I wonder why he isn't inviting Billy over for a cold beer and while sitting out on the patio he doesn't make known a few of the same observations we are seeing wrt the issues on offense along with some strongly worded suggestions of what needs to change.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

Gundy would do well at UF. He's a "grown man" with a mullet!

 

[Elefantman]

Gundy would do well at UF. He's a "grown man" with a mullet!

He's all packed up and ready to head for Florida.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

He's all packed up and ready to head for Florida.
View attachment 53176

Kenny Powers' mullet was cooler than Gundy's.