2022 State of the Board: A new era for UF

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oxrageous

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Ox, When you went full SwampGas, it just puts the rest of the concept of this being the free board in doubt forever. It is the free board unless you feel it is Christmas Eve and a pony will be there in the morning. Sorry, but it won't. But, you will have cool Ghostbusters gear.

Regardless, the best part of this board, and some of the most negative here, is that they are often right and earlier than the rest of the fans, media, admin, etc.

We can also be hopeful and know we are far better off than 30 days ago, yet still find the lack of effort on grabbing the true Urban Meyer of this coaching class - Lincoln Riley - to be disappointing and another sign that Sticklin is not the guy for the job. Florida football has been at its best with large cult of personality type coaches. Riley is the closest there is in all of college football right now. But, he doesn't match Stricklin's milk-toast personality.

I can simultaneously have that view and recognize that nearly everything Napier has done so far seems to be on the right track.

But, let's not act like nothing is concerning, including his offensive philosophy being so heavily shaped by Butters that he is quoting him word for word to his team. Another example, let's not act like he only said stars don't matter as much as eval or something similarly benign and out of context, because if any of our other coaches we now hate said it in the same context, we would all be killing him. He was asked a recruiting question and came out of the gate with a warning about stars not mattering being the most important thing. If we step away from the honeymoon, we'd see that is a pre-built excuse. To the state of the board question, that is the type of thing we used to be able to notice while also appreciating the budget improvements. Not so much this week.

Ox went full SwampGas more than this board went full negative. This board has been 85-95% positive on Napier and even those who are hesitant aren't fully bashing the guy, but expressing concerns to keep an eye on.

The nuance (and personal insults) set this place apart when allowed to occur.
I’ve liked all the posts in this thread except this one. Yeesh.

First off, your takes on Napier are idiotic. It’s people like you pearl clutching over every little thing he has said or done in the 72 hours he’s been the coach (because you hate the hire) are what drive me nuts.

Also, this is not a “free” board and never has been. There are no rights or Freedom of Speech. It’s a dictatorship, with a pretty loosey goosey dictator.

If I’ve ruined anyone’s concept of a free board “forever”, feel free to leave. I understand my style isn’t for everyone. I used to have fantasies about a massive board that would bring in enough revenue for me to quit my job, but those dreams are over. I dug out a small niche and I’m happy with it. If some people decide it isn’t their cup of tea, so be it.
 

FlyingGator

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Risking a ban for posting twice here but for those worried about negativity and uncivilized banter being thrown around, I just don’t get it. It has been pretty clear to me from my early beginnings here that this is a place where you will be (usually) ridiculed in a loving and brutal way for posting stupid stuff. Hell, you may even get that treatment for posting well thought out stuff. If you’re winning an argument you’ll usually know it when you get your first Loony or Drunk rating, especially from Donk. For those who were in a fraternity or in the military, you’ll recognize the poop slinging as more a sign of acceptance than rejection. When **** gets real though and posters share it here, the nonsense stops and actual support fills the void. Best recent example is GGG sharing he lost his Mom last weekend. You either love or hate his takes (especially on political board) but everyone chimed in with prayers and best wishes. Anyway, this ain’t a place for sissies but if you realize most of the stuff thrown around is in good fun and not to take it too seriously, you’ll have a much more enjoyable experience here. I for one appreciate it just the way it is..
 
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DoubleGator87and90

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I appreciate that this forum exists, where others who are also passionate about Gators football can share opinions, information, and bytch about our program, which has deserved being bytched about for a decade +. I'm sure that Ox devotes a massive amount of time, money, and energy to make this website available to all of us and I respect and appreciate his efforts.

I don't post much because it's not my thing. But, I log on at some point almost every day to see if there is any news on the team and recruiting. Some of the posts are definitely negative and some of the posters are seemingly always negative. But, I take it as passion for the program and I'm okay knowing we're all Gator fans who want our team to succeed. So, I don't really care much about the negativity. Honestly, the past decade of Gator football has been more negative than positive anyway, so the fact that the most passionate Gator fans have a lot of negativity about the program should be expected.

I don't know enough about Coach Napier to get too excited or too pessimistic out of the gate. I was fired up after Muschamp's first press conference and then somewhat optimistic after the first press conferences of McElwain and Mullen. So, history shows me that I need to see the head coach in action before I get too high or too low about a new hire. I like that Napier seems to be committed to putting a stable and organized structure in place, which our program has lacked for a very long time. I am immediately turned off by the fact that his first week at the helm has led to decommitments from almost all the "committed" recruits, including most notably Evers, who I was excited about joining the team. But, if Napier's "process" results in our team bringing in great talent and competing for SEC and National Championships over the next few years, then count me in on his plan. If not, then he can hit the road like the rest of his predecessors since we were last relevant in 2008.
 

stephenPE

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Even after all this came to light, many members of this board were so beaten down (and I really do understand) that they couldn't help be miserable anyway.

I had to laugh at that one. The modern era of UF football began with Ray Graves pretty much. We finally became a brand and made it to New Years Day bowls. Got a Heisman. But for the next 30 yrs we were the bridesmaid and worse. Misery? Only misery if all you knew was titles and being on the national stage much of the time. Throw in those BB titles and we were walking the walk.

All that said wtf is this about. This place has been all about negative for years. Wallowing in misery and a big fckkk you to anyone that still professed anything remotely like "in all kinds of weather" But despite that its still the best gator sports forum with the chatroom and characters like law, boss, cover etc etc etc...............anyone that gets too triggered in here may not be a good candidate to stay here..............that said, your mom was outstanding last night...........
 

78

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For those who missed it, here was Donk's post to me, completely unprovoked and out of the blue this morning:

This is a guy who needs a break. He's not a happy guy right now, and I'm sure it has nothing to do with football.

I missed it. Was this a specific reaction to your sexual proclivities or a generalized one over football?
 

CGgater

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Ox, When you went full SwampGas, it just puts the rest of the concept of this being the free board in doubt forever. It is the free board unless you feel it is Christmas Eve and a pony will be there in the morning. Sorry, but it won't. But, you will have cool Ghostbusters gear.

Regardless, the best part of this board, and some of the most negative here, is that they are often right and earlier than the rest of the fans, media, admin, etc.

We can also be hopeful and know we are far better off than 30 days ago, yet still find the lack of effort on grabbing the true Urban Meyer of this coaching class - Lincoln Riley - to be disappointing and another sign that Sticklin is not the guy for the job. Florida football has been at its best with large cult of personality type coaches. Riley is the closest there is in all of college football right now. But, he doesn't match Stricklin's milk-toast personality.

I can simultaneously have that view and recognize that nearly everything Napier has done so far seems to be on the right track.

But, let's not act like nothing is concerning, including his offensive philosophy being so heavily shaped by Butters that he is quoting him word for word to his team. Another example, let's not act like he only said stars don't matter as much as eval or something similarly benign and out of context, because if any of our other coaches we now hate said it in the same context, we would all be killing him. He was asked a recruiting question and came out of the gate with a warning about stars not mattering being the most important thing. If we step away from the honeymoon, we'd see that is a pre-built excuse. To the state of the board question, that is the type of thing we used to be able to notice while also appreciating the budget improvements. Not so much this week.

Ox went full SwampGas more than this board went full negative. This board has been 85-95% positive on Napier and even those who are hesitant aren't fully bashing the guy, but expressing concerns to keep an eye on.

The nuance (and personal insults) set this place apart when allowed to occur.
The swampgas comparison is just a bit over the top... and gave me zero interest in reading the rest of this post. Lighten up, Francis.
 

gatormandan

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The donk is and has always been all over the place and calls people names all the time. Giving him a week off wont change anything. Heck, you locked me out of a thread for saying you were so high on the hire that you might move in with him. You have been so protective of anything said against BN that it does remind me of how swamp gas is talked about. I wouldnt know because I have never been there.

I am not negative about the hire even though for me its a "wait and see" situation but I do appreciate the new direction things seem to be going and I really "hope" it works. You will always have negative reaction to just about anything. Just look at politics. Just because you are all giddy inside about the hire you cant force your enthusiasm on everyone else. Banning people for name calling (something they have been doing forever) isnt the answer to steering the overall attitude towards being positive.
 

wrpgator

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I like this place...glad it’s here. Swamp Gas sanctimony and selective moderation made me seek another board and I found this one a few years ago. It’s more Wild Wild West here but with that comes freedom to speak your mind. Moms are sacrosanct, but I’ve learned to live with that subculture here, I understand it better than when I started. I’ve learned a lot here, there are some really smart posters. Where else you going to get the insight of a Cover2, Alex, Det, and Donk too. And the Chatter Womenfolk are awesome. What a spectrum--you can learn, opine, be put in your place--and laugh about it. This place is great.
 

oxrageous

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The donk is and has always been all over the place and calls people names all the time. Giving him a week off wont change anything.
You guys have to understand something. The Donk has been given vacations at least 10 times since Gatorchatter was started. He knows EXACTLY what will get him kicked. He did it on purpose - I think he wanted a break and knows he has to be forced off to walk away for a bit. He's like a junkie.
 

gatormandan

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You guys have to understand something. The Donk has been given vacations at least 10 times since Gatorchatter was started. He knows EXACTLY what will get him kicked. He did it on purpose - I think he wanted a break and knows he has to be forced off to walk away for a bit. He's like a junkie.

So, after 10 vacations he has only gotten worse?
 

GatorTAG

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I read this and find myself wondering if you've ever actually gone to a sports bar with a bunch of good friends. This is how guys talk to each other. It isn't a place for children and only the occasional badass woman.

I've been involved in sports at almost every level most of my life. And been to plenty of sports bars, biker bars and even titty bars. In my interactions with people at any of those places and with people in general I try to treat them with a level of respect and civility. That doesn't mean I don't joke around, rib and do some light hearted ball busting.

Zambo, I find you, Ox, Law and almost every other poster on here to be smart, witty, and generally hilarious. I come on here to see that and get a good laugh. Its a message board, I don't take it very seriously.

But there's a line that can be crossed where wit, sarcasm or ribbing isn't light hearted or tasteful and becomes downright rude, mean or personal. I'm sure that line is different for everyone. My rule of thumb is if I wouldn't say it to someone's face I probably shouldn't say it here. If I say something that would probably get me punched at a sports bar I've probably gone too far.

Thats what I'm talking about.
 

cartman302

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The swampgas comparison is just a bit over the top... and gave me zero interest in reading the rest of this post. Lighten up, Francis.
I want every single member of Gatorchatter to make a post in this thread with their thoughts. No exceptions. Lurkers, pipe up.

This is somewhat long - anyone who responds with "TLDR" gets a ban.

I got to thinking about some things today after Swamp Donkey went nuts out the blue, called me names, and was banned for a week. Then I got an email from him basically saying we'd become Swamp Gas because of my insistence of the board being positive about this hire. He made me think, he often does. This thread isn't about Donkey, but I will say I don't know if he'll return or not.

We've always been known around the Gator Nation as the "negative" board, which I understand. Since Gatorchatter was launched in 2014, there really has been very little to be happy about. The brand has taken a complete dive, dropping UF out of the elite schools that annually challenge for titles. Hence, being negative hasn't bothered me, since we were just dealing with reality and the truth of the situation. However, Donkey made me think of something today, and that's this.

Some people are negative about the program because the program is bad, some people are negative about the program because they want to be negative. They actually enjoy the bashing and negativity. When something positive happens, they don't really like it. They get some kind of kick or power from wallowing in the mud.

While I certainly don't like blind pumperism, being "woe is me" on Gatorchatter for 7+ years now has really taken a toll. We've complained about a lot, and rightfully so. The garbage facilities, the constant cheap tactics from the administration (other than overpaying bad head coaches), their seeming to embrace mediocrity while other schools pass them by, it has really sucked. The product on the field has obviously also suffered as a result.

HOWEVER...

Everything seems to finally be changing. Mullen and his embarrassing group have been jettisoned. The Heavener Complex (which really is nice) is supposedly almost done. Stricklin has decided to throw money in places that we've been demanding for years. No matter what you think of Billy Napier's X's and O's, he certainly seems to have the right attitude about what needs to be done, starting with recruiting. We're going to have a lot more eyes on the team and our opponents. These are going to be a functional, prepared teams. There's a lot to be happy about.

Even after all this came to light, many members of this board were so beaten down (and I really do understand) that they couldn't help be miserable anyway. They hated the hire, they hated everything. It bugged me. It's like they were happier when they were upset, down and pissed. I feel like they would have hated almost any hire just out of reflex. This is the kind of thing I would like to see turn around on this board.

My draconian tactics to control the misery are over - I think I made whatever point I was going for. I'd like for each of you, as part of a 2022 resolution, to attempt to change your mindset about this program. We asked for things and we got them. It really is a new day and it feels like it.

Discuss.


Jeebus. I decide to work on a Tuesday night and I miss all of the fun.

Obviously, I don't post much because I prefer reading all of the insane, wonderful, and outright disgusting posts on this board. Occasionally I pipe up either fueled by the need to drunk post, or I think I can offer a lucid, if not earth-shattering observation.

That said, I came to GC I think, around the time Mullen was hired. I was a regular at SG, and I got tired of the uber-liberal, overly phaggy posters over there. One of the final "straws" was when Chip Kelly wasn't hired, I was told it wasn't happening by a well-connected Gator customer of mine that CK was taking the UCLA job. I posted that on the CK thread, and was not shockingly dismantled for posting what I was told. For whatever reason, I had PM'ed both PD on their board, as well as Law about it, and they both told me to quit being pissy about it, so I did.

Weirdly enough, I lurked in their Too Hot for Swamp Piss threads, and had noticed that GGG was gone- and I was curious as to why- lo and behold, I found GC shortly thereafter.

Enough waxing poetic--- here is my FWIW take on the (former) coaches and the hiring of Napier.

Zook- Unbelievably botched hire by Foley- if memory serves, he had one of the first internet-fueled coaching searches, and literally announced digitally that he was GOING TO HIRE BOB STOOPS. Which led to the epic failure that was, and the subsequent "Lucy and the Football" results every time Florida has had a coaching search.

Mustpunt- I actually liked the hire at the time. First ever "HCIW" guy, young, aggressive, Gainesville ties (although a stupid Mutt), and it was an epic fail.

McElwain- head scratcher from the rip. Literally had NEVER HEARD OF THE GUY and likely we never will again.

Man Dullen- Reluctant acceptance when he was hired. He DID win 10 games consecutively and didn't lose to FSU. Constantly made stupid, stubborn decisions and reached heights of unbridled arrogance. Lost me last year at LSU by not playing Pitts and making Marco team captain after the shoe-throwing. Didn't listen to another word his stupid face said after that.

Coach Billy Napier- Overall, I like the hire. He will bring the program into the 21st century and build a foundation worthy of the multi-million dollar organization that Gator Football is. Seems to have the priorities right in terms of recruiting, staffing, accountability, loyalty, etc. We will see as things go along.

Ox- don't change a thing. I love this place. It's smart, witty, trashy, vulgar, and as evidenced by the outpouring of condolences to GGG, even sweet once in awhile. Donk is Donk, and we "all" love him. I DO think that posters like him, yourself, and others are truly missing your true callings in this world---- all of you should write time management books- I don't know how the fawk any of you get anything done during the day and post as much as you do. Much respect.
 

DeltaGlamma

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I just hope we give Napier time to turn things around. Harbaugh is in his 6th year at Michigan and we would have canned him already.

I really enjoyed last year with Trask slinging it around, even got a Trask jersey!
 

AugustaGator

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For those who missed it, here was Donk's post to me, completely unprovoked and out of the blue this morning:

This is a guy who needs a break. He's not a happy guy right now, and I'm sure it has nothing to do with football.
Damn! Message boards are not for everyone. :)

I’m against banning people until they do something illegal or unethical, ie dox.

I don’t mind what people post. They have agency. Sticks and stones… I will say I am disappointed with all the snowflakes around.

Personally I like to hear other viewpoints and to challenge my assumptions and beliefs.
 

URGatorBait

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You guys have to understand something. The Donk has been given vacations at least 10 times since Gatorchatter was started. He knows EXACTLY what will get him kicked. He did it on purpose - I think he wanted a break and knows he has to be forced off to walk away for a bit. He's like a junkie.
and a case of herpes.....just keeps coming back :lol:
 

sharkbite

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OX, I like your post and agree with it. When I first joined, it was a mix of opinions which I do not mind. Then it went pretty dark. I get it, the program truly has its issues and talking about it is not a problem, but the endless ragging gets tiring. There are some very knowledgeable posters here and when they moved to the very negative, it became a bit overwhelming. I am happy to hear of the new change and look forward to reading more from these posters and these new program changes take place. Thanks OX!!!
 

fischerwood

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Sep 5, 2014
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I'll start by saying we all want the University of Florida to be Consistently successful in all areas, especially the most advertised i.e. football.
I remember when Charley Pell (same age as me) was hired from Clempsen back in 1979. I was responsible for the guest speaker procurement for the Alachua Lions Club Cattlemens Banquet that year. I called the UF Athletic Office and just asked to speak to Coach Pell.
He picked up the phone and said he'd be proud to speak as the guest speaker. We had the honor of having Dr. Lester Hale as the Master of Ceremonies. they brought the house down with the place packed to the rafters. We went 0-10-1 as we all know that year but we could sense the positive direction our Gators were going. I reference this because Billy Napier may very well be the second coming of the resurrection of Gator Football. I'm the most positive I've been in quite a while about our direction.
That is all, Go Gators...:jog:
 

maheo30

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I get the negativity. There hasn't been much to get excited over. I think the negativity gets old. I'd like to see more positivity on the board only to balance things out a bit. To compare the board to Swamp Gas is being nothing but a drama queen to me though. lol
 
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