Billy Napier - UF Head Football Coach

[URGatorBait]

Unconfirmed rumor on TOS too.

@BoardGeniuses: BREAKING NEWS!
#Florida has hired Billy Napier! This according to HankSter13 who is a very credible source. #GoGators

He got his news from this very thread.

 

[BMF]

That isnt a realistic drawback. Its a thinking problem. The game has changed with NIL. I dont want another hot shot XandO guy as the HC. I want a CEO who is going to build the program. I want to hire hot shot coordinators instead. I think Napier gets it. We will find out if he gets it when we see him build his staff and if he also acts like a NFL GM by building up the recruiting infrastructure as well.

And for those complaining about him coming from the Sun Belt....he AIN'T bringing his staff from ULL here (maybe one or two, but he's not doing what Mullen did). That shouldn't be a concern at all. Also, he's not taking the job w/out the commitment from our UAA for what he wants. He specifically turned down South Carolina because they scoffed at his requests/demands (that was documented, and the word "scoffed" was used).

 

[Woodroe]

In fact, if Napier would treat Kirby like Karl treated Jesse Dixon when he walked in on him banging his mom, then I would be more than pleased.

 

[BMF]

I'm guessing he hires an OC when he takes a bigger job (UF or otherwise). He's worked for the best in the game and none of them coordinate their own side of the ball. He'll obviously have input, but I'm certain he'd hire an OC. Also, one of the reasons he wanted to OC/QB at ULL was to help spread his assistants salary pool (by not having to pay an OC or QB coach) to get better assistants. If he comes here and announces he's going to be his own OC (after Mullen just failed at that) it won't go over well. As far as "the admin" - I'm sure he's well aware of the lack of admin support for the previous staff's, so he won't take the job and we won't have to worry about him being our coach.

 

[Detroitgator]

I get it people are underwhelmed. But who TF were we supposed to hire? It seems many here want Kiffin. Do we even know if he wants the job? He's only been at Ole Miss two years, is he really leaving that quickly? There's some serious unreasonable expectations around here.

As far as we've sunk this program the last 11 years, I'm ready to see a guy with a vision that Napier has (if it's him or not); he plans to overhaul this disaster, budget driven, train wreck - by building a Bama-style recruiting office, Bama-style analyst & quality control operation, bringing in a real/bigger S&C staff, etc. If he fails, at least the next guy will be set up to succeed - unlike what Muschamp, Butters, and Mullen left behind.



Disagree w/ this comparison. Someone compared Napier to Harsin yesterday and it was a poor comparison as well. Other than all three being G5 coaches, that's where it ends. Napier comes from the Saban tree, but also worked under Dabo & Jimbo Fisher. He has 11+ seasons as a P5 assistant (compared to NorveLLLL's five seasons, 4 were in the P12 - most of Novell & Harsin's background was G5). For those wondering if he can recruit, he spent 11+ years w/ 3 of the best recruiters in the game (and he spent time w/ Kirby at Alabama). Who did NorveLLLL toil under? I can't name one coach he worked under prior to getting the Memphis job. Also, he was 38-15 at Memphis (after he took over a successful program left by Fuente) - Napier took over a dumpster at ULL that went 5-7 and fired their coach.

1. Corral is leaving, and does anyone think that Kiffin wasn't using the time at Bama under Saban, FAU, Ole Miss, as a progression to get a top job again? Seems seriously unreasonable to think otherwise.
2. Kiffin has all those too... and state of the art analytics staff.

Maybe Napier works out jumping straight to a program as large as UF, we won't know until we see, and it will take him several years to see vs a Kiffin. We'll see if we are willing to take that chance/risk.

I think that post-2016 Kiffin is less of a chance with higher potential reward, and likely a much more immediate pop in recruiting/recruiting flips/portal transfers, including players from Ole Miss that already know his system. And I do think UF's administration would seriously consider Kiffin if he came with certain endorsements, like Spurrier talked to him on the phone several times as a gut check and said "I'd hire this guy." (and I don't think that is unrealistic, in spite of what Law says).

Kiffin is my "hope" hire that's in the "realistic" (albeit outside edge of realistic) category.

My expectation for a new coach all this year and given UF admin is a Pittman/Mark Stoops. Someone that they hoped Mullen would be: 8-4/9-3 records, revenue covers all sports plus money for some upgrades, a 10 winner sprinkled in every few years, no public embarrassments. Again, I always thought the "embarrassment" part would involve players off field, but between his recruiting violation, press conferences, and on field performance, it was Dan himself that became the embarrassment to UF.

Then we have Napier, who has a plan and some performance actually running a plan in the minor leagues. He does check the box for me of at least having run a program (I have no interest in an OC/DC unless they follow the "Riley under Stoops or Day under Meyer model": they were under an elite coach, in a big program, and moved to HC position in that same program... Venables would not be the same as those two given that criteria), albeit a very small one relatively speaking. Regardless of his ability to recruit well (and let's just say he's phenomenal for arguments sake), I do not see him getting any kind of instant recruiting/portal pop. He is truly a long term build option, that is largely unproven except in the minor league. His offense aside, he looks good on paper, he has a plan, he's saying the right things... but...

So the question is, will UF be a Venture Capitalist and take a shot on Napier, an Institutional Investor and go with a Pittman/Mark Stoops, or somewhere in the middle with Kiffin? We'll see.

There is a very interesting guy that Son #2 listens to all the time and I've listened to him several times with Son #2. He has said the following several times in who he will personally invest his money in: "No matter how good the person looks/sounds in person and on paper, I'll never invest again in someone who doesn't have one major failure. I now only invest in people that have been knocked down at least once and are back with the lessons learned and are here to fight."

Kiffin fits that, Napier hasn't been knocked down yet, and that's what worries me the most with Napier.

 

[BMF]

Kiffin wouldn't be my first choice. But at least that puts us in a national spotlight. Nobody gives af about this redneck coaching here. No recruit is looking at Napier and begging to play for him here. I like almost anybody better. NorveLLLL is a fair comparison. Seems like the same guy except I probably like NorveLLLL offense better. Idk at least Franklin would get headlines. I could name twenty guys better fit for this program.

Why don't you just list Saban, Meyer, Dabo, and Kirby? We ain't getting Franklin or any of the other guys that "fit" or we'd be talking about them right now. I'm sure all of us would rather land Riley or one of these other 'proven' head coaches. The admin sank this program to an all-time low and we have people expecting to land a P5 coach from a blue blood program? lol

 

[Bait'n Gator]

What really rankles me is how many on this board immediately discounted Luke Fickell.
He’s accomplished much more at the group of 5 level than Napier, and may even make the playoff this year.
Think about that for a second…

As far as Pedigree, he’s in Urban’s coaching tree.

He’s another not so splashy hire but, in my opinion, much more accomplished than Billy, at the Group of 5 level.

I mean, if we aren’t going to swing for the fences and get the best possible coach at this time, Then why settle for a guy that has a boring offense and a bunch of Sunbelt level coaches on his staff?

Huge reach for Florida to pick Napier.
Huge

I didn't want Fickell because he's looks like he's never learnt to breathe threw his nose, that said I'd take Fickell 7 days a week and twice on Sunday over Napier.

 

[PaulDrake]

The biggest question by far is the OC question. Will he bring in a OC or pull a Mullen?

I'm hoping he brings someone in, I don't like a head coach being a coordinator as well - he needs to be freed up to oversee the entire program.

If he does you can count on them coming from "Ground Games Are Us." Gee, I can't wait. You know who else can't wait? The rest of the Conference when they play us. They will be salivating....

 

[Detroitgator]

I'm talking about getting knocked down actually running HIS plan, HIS show, with HIM in charge of everything, like someone starting a new company. Not knocked down as an employee. They are no where near the same thing.

 

[Brooks]

Why don't you just list Saban, Meyer, Dabo, and Kirby? We ain't getting Franklin or any of the other guys that "fit" or we'd be talking about them right now. I'm sure all of us would rather land Riley or one of these other 'proven' head coaches. The admin sank this program to an all-time low and we have people expecting to land a P5 coach from a blue blood program? lol

Cmon man there's dozens of better fits than this redneck. I wasn't saying hey let's go get Franklin or urban. The job here is still a Cadillac job and we are just handing over to a guy that like to drive a beater. If he looks and sounds like a moron... he's probably a moron. No gator fan should be excited for this hire .

 

[neteng]

Thats the point that I guess didnt say well enough. Napier aint coming here unless we will do all the things needed to rival uga and bama. The funny thing is, go look at some of the articles about how Napier turned down the other SEC jobs and then go read Stricklin's message yesterday. Its almost word for word and it makes me kinda happy.

Also, he's not taking the job w/out the commitment from our UAA for what he wants.

Exactly. That was what made me turn around on Napier. Him coming means our school finally gets it.

 

[BMF]

I'm talking about getting knocked down actually running HIS plan, HIS show, with HIM in charge of everything, like someone starting a new company. Not knocked down as an employee. They are no where near the same thing.

Cristobol fits that example also. There aren't many others. I agree post-2016 Kiffin is a completely different person/coach. I just feel w/ Kiffin we'd get quicker results vs. a long-term solution (and it seems Stricklin specifically said he wants a long-term solution). I wouldn't be upset landing Kiffin, but I'd be waiting for it all to come crashing down at any given moment.

 

[Spurdog98]

Interesting call but they ended up winning the game. Lucky? maybe. Ballsy call either way though.

I know a guy that runs the clock out with 2 min to go before half down 3.

 

[Double Gator Dad]

It's all about perception with them. Mullen got fired for being too weird more so than for losing too many games.

They want our coach to field a competitive team, which they define as making it to a fairly respectable bowl game, and to be what they regard as a suitable representative of the university.

If you want to know what their criteria is, think of a school like Stanford. That is their gold standard and the type of model they have in mind for everything they do.

Stanford is known primarily for academic excellence and secondarily for being competitive in athletics, across all their sports. Their fans buy Stanford gear and go to games, but aren't clamoring for them to be perennial title contenders like Alabama or Clemson. They think that's gauche.

Check out the U.S. News & World Report Top 50, where the U.F. admin prides itself in being, far above all else. If I'm not mistaken the only schools on that list that have made it to the CFP since they started it in 2014 are USC and Notre Dame.

Football is no longer the priority for the admin that we think it should be. If you think they need the money, you're wrong. They used that money to springboard them in the direction they want to go, and now they're off and running.

They're looking at making more money in other ways, through different types of research and development programs. But to do that we need to obtain a truly elite reputation on the academic front. That's what they're after now.

Stanford has been the template for several years now and I agree with your description.

However you left off one detail:
You said that the focus on athletics is secondary but I submit that only the high profile, revenue generating sports are secondary. Nothing is more important to Stanford than being the very best at virtually every sport that nobody cares about.

Stanford fields nearly twice as many sports teams than any other school and they excel at all of the meaningless ones. They win the national All Sports trophy every year on the women’s side and are highly rated on the men’s side in each sport other than the Neanderthal ones like football and basketball.

This is the mentality of the current regime running UF.

 

[Detroitgator]

Cristobol fits that example also. There aren't many others. I agree post-2016 Kiffin is a completely different person/coach. I just feel w/ Kiffin we'd get quicker results vs. a long-term solution (and it seems Stricklin specifically said he wants a long-term solution). I wouldn't be upset landing Kiffin, but I'd be waiting for it all to come crashing down at any given moment.

Agreed, and as I've said with Kiffin, I'd structure his personal compensation with something like a $5M base, HUGE upside incentives, and several protective caveats in case of any personal issues. He'd go for that if he really wanted to come to UF and try to build/win something big and make it his personal Bama/Clemson. If he's not willing to do that, they'd either have to take the risk, or say "no thanks" and move on to some other type of risk, like Napier.

 

[Detroitgator]

I know a guy that runs the clock out with 2 min to go before half down 3.

... with timeouts remaining, several times this season...

 

[Dr Luke]

I got a ton of work to do today and I really don't have time to be wasting on these forums. I need UF to bring this thing home before I lose my job.