Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier might have the hottest seat in the country, let alone among the coaches who spoke to reporters this week at SEC Media Days.
As the Gators look to avoid its longest streak of losing seasons since the days of leather helmets, what are three takeaways from Napier at SEC Media Days?
3 Takeaways From Billy Napier at SEC Media Days
The first Florida head coach to post losing records in each of his first two seasons at the helm since Raymond Wolf in 1946-47, Napier sounded confident not only in his job security but in the team that will try to flip the script on some troubling trends in Gainesville since he arrived ahead of the 2022 season:
- Florida has lost seven of its nine games played in November/December under Napier, including a five-game losing streak to close out last season.
- Florida has lost 10 of its 12 games against AP-ranked opponents under Napier, including all eight played outside of The Swamp.
- Florida has not appeared in any single release of the College Football Playoff under Napier after the Gators got into the top 10 of those same rankings in four of the prior eight seasons.
1) Napier Praised the “Credible Leadership” of the 2024 Florida Gators
A record of 11-14 over the past two seasons would be disappointing in most places, but especially at the University of Florida, where national championship aspirations never go into hiding. But Napier sensed a difference in the locker room as the team came together this summer to prepare for 2024.
“I knew this team had a chance to be different,” Napier said on Wednesday. “One of the reasons I believe in our team is we have credible leadership. The discipline and accountability of this team is at an all-time high, and I think some of the adjustments that we made in the offseason have proved to be effective.”
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Napier mentioned the staff and culture changes surrounding strength and conditioning at Florida this offseason. He sees players putting in “extra work” that might not have been there in the past.
He is already starting to see improvements, beginning with the physical stature of the team as a whole.
“We have made significant progress. We gained 500 pounds of lean muscle. I think it’s critical that your players believe in that part of your process, and I think right now, that’s one of the benefits of that change. It’s going to be a huge part of our success this year.”
2) Napier Sees QB Graham Mertz As A Difference-Maker
Mertz was not one of the four SEC quarterbacks to appear in CFN’s Top 100 College Football Players, but his return to Gainesville for another year will certainly boost the Gators’ chances of reaching a bowl game.
In 2024, Mertz set career bests in completion percentage (73%), passing yards (2,903), touchdown responsibility (24), and passing efficiency (157.8).
Napier called his return the “best thing that happened to Florida football this offseason,” but also sees the groundwork of something to improve upon.
“Graham has earned the respect of his teammates with the way that he competed last year. He’s primed to have a breakout year here. It’s a big deal for Graham to be back to play quarterback for our team.”
3) Napier Takes “One Week At A Time” Approach To Schedule
As challenging as the SEC was already during Napier’s first two seasons at Florida, it was made even tougher by the additions of Texas and Oklahoma into the conference this offseason. The Gators 2024 schedule is one, if not the toughest, in the nation.
Of their 11 power conference opponents this season, 10 went to bowl games last season and five finished in the top-13 of the College Football Playoff rankings (Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, Florida State and LSU).
Those five teams make up Florida’s November schedule alone, making the point about the Gators’ struggles after November 1 under Napier all that more apparent.
Napier didn’t seem interested in using a tough schedule as an excuse for a poor season.
“As cliche as it sounds, it’s literally one week at a time,” he said. “We are learning how to have the self-discipline to prepare, the same level of focus, same detail, same urgency, and get into position to where you can execute and do your job for the team. I’ve got confidence in our team because I’ve been observing the work.”
Despite a tough schedule, Napier also made sure to tell the media there is no other conference he would rather be in.
“Listen, the SEC is in prime position for the 12-team playoff and the future of college athletics.”
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