Following a greatly disappointing season for all fans, the Florida Gators are ready to flip the script in their first season under head coach Billy Napier.
On September 3rd, Gator football is finally going to be back, and hopefully better than last season. With a revamped coaching staff and complete change in culture, Napier is sure to bring success to Florida, but how soon?
Florida has been noted in the past for their fast and successful turn-arounds following the firing of a head coach. The most recent example would be Dan Mullen’s inaugural season in which he led the Gators to a 10-3 season and a New Year’s Six Bowl win. But the underlying question is can Napier do the same? I believe the answer is yes.
Napier had completely revolutionized the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from a team that was hardly spoken in the college football world to one of the most highly respected non-power 5 schools in the nation in just four years. This goes without mentioning his experience under both Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney as an assistant. Given the talent and resources of a college as large as the University of Florida, Napier is bound to succeed.
The first step in this process was winning over the players following a relatively toxic locker room environment in years past. Napier is said to have built parking lots closer to the facilities, fought for better housing, and not to mention the whole new training facility (which was already under construction before the arrival of Napier). It’s clear that Napier doesn’t only care about the record, but also the players as he rights the wrongs of prior coaches.
With a team won over, an absolute excess of untapped talent, and great resources, there is a lot to expect in his first season.
Unlike many universities, however, the Gators will not start the Napier era with a “joke” game as they play #7 Utah at home in their first game. This is sure to be an amazing game which many believe the Gators can pull off an upset. Gator Nation is so excited about this match that the game sold out over two weeks before the season.
There will be a great deal of adversity that this team will face, such as presumed backup quarterback Jack Miller being out indefinitely following a thumb injury, as well as the health of Anthony Richardson.
With Miller out for a while, all the chips are in one pile with Richardson, which could backfire greatly if he were to get injured. Although he may have a large strong body, it has been made clear by Billy Napier that this offense will run… a lot. Knowing Richardson’s past issues with his knees, it will definitely hang over the heads of some Florida fans and be a point of emphasis for Richardson to exercise extreme caution.
Enough with the players and team as we know there is plenty of talent. Let’s take a look at this through the eyes of a Gator fan:
- You have a new, highly touted and young head coach
- You had a solid recruiting class and key players such as Justin Shorter (WR) Ventrell Miller (LB) and Brenton Cox (OLB) all return
- There is great depth in both the Quarterback and Running back room (although not too much experience)
- As well as an extensive staff which consists of more staff than players
The Swamp is sure to be loud and energetic that night, which will surely affect the game. With Utah playing in an environment that is completely unfamiliar to them, the Gators offense and defense only gaining weapons, and a more whole squad, I believe that the Gators will clearly and definitely win this game in The Swamp. In fact, I would not be surprised if the Gators started the season 6-0.
This is a very under-looked and incredibly talented team that has a chip on its shoulder. If Napier is the man that the university and players say he is expected to be, a greatly successful season and future are soon to come.