Napier gets 3 seasons to gut this program and rebuild from scratch. Consider 2022 to be Napier’s version of Charley Pell’s 1979 season, but with 6 wins instead of 0.
See below for my grades @DRU2012
See below for my grades @DRU2012
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I was THERE for that Charlie Pell "Oh, 10-and-1..." season, as you know--my sophomore year at UF.Napier gets 3 seasons to gut this program and rebuild from scratch. Consider 2022 to be Napier’s version of Charley Pell’s 1979 season, but with 6 wins instead of 0.
Are you aware of all the overhauls Pell made off the field? Pell and Napier realize that winning in year 1 is only a temporary fix. In the long run it takes recruiting, boosters, facilities, and culture to win. Once those align it takes continuity and continuous improvement. Urban Meyer succeeded in all aspects except continuous improvement. Spurrier succeeded in all aspects but got burned out. Pell succeeded in all aspects except he was caught breaking too many rules. This is why Napier is fascinating: he potentially has none of those flaws. His only flaws are outdated schemes and underperforming coaches. If he addresses those he will do well.I was THERE for that Charlie Pell "Oh, 10-and-1..." season, as you know--my sophomore year at UF.
And you're right: It FEELS similar in terms of how much time and ROOM we wanna GIVE the Coach and his taking charge of the program...
This TOO requires a wholesale change, a near-complete TURNOVER in personnel on and OFF the field--one which started the moment Billy was hired!
What is different is how much FUN we were able to have as undergrads back then: little to lose, no where to go but UP!
Not anymore. Our innocence is long lost.
That's just how it is--and in truth, from a practical P.O.V., that's a GOOD thing. College FOOTBALL is different, and the Gator Nation has a totally different sense of itself by now, with completely transformed expectations.
Believe it or not, I am WITH you on that "time and room" I hope and want Billy to be given (as I think he was promised before he signed on). And now (regardless of how one feels about it) it is openly "allowed" for the Coach and his people to do many of the kinds of things Pell got in trouble (and eventually shunned) for.
After last night, I really do think, feel, BELIEVE that we will see tangible evidence of substantial progress SEASON-BY-SEASON from here.
THAT time frame should represent our distance from ELITE, CHAMPIONSHIP Status...
That next few years then shape up as an exciting ROCKET ride!
I am interested in the specifics of "Napier's flaws" that you refer to near the end above...Are you aware of all the overhauls Pell made off the field? Pell and Napier realize that winning in year 1 is only a temporary fix. In the long run it takes recruiting, boosters, facilities, and culture to win. Once those align it takes continuity and continuous improvement. Urban Meyer succeeded in all aspects except continuous improvement. Spurrier succeeded in all aspects but got burned out. Pell succeeded in all aspects except he was caught breaking too many rules. This is why Napier is fascinating: he potentially has none of those flaws. His only flaws are outdated schemes and underperforming coaches. If he addresses those he will do well.
FOOTBALL | Position | Grade | |
---|---|---|---|
| Billy Napier | Head Coach Offensive Coordinator Quarterback Coach | B- B B |
Patrick Toney | Co-Defensive Coordinator / Safeties | D | |
Rob Sale | Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line | B | |
Sean Spencer | Co-Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line | B | |
Jabbar Juluke | Associate Head Coach - Offense / Running Backs | A | |
Corey Raymond | Assistant Head Coach - Defense / Cornerbacks | D | |
Jay Bateman | Assistant Coach / Inside Linebackers | D | |
Keary Colbert | Assistant Coach / Wide Receivers | D | |
Darnell Stapleton | Assistant Coach / Offensive Line | A | |
William Peagler | Assistant Coach / Tight Ends | D |
Mike Peterson | Assistant Coach / Outside Linebackers / Alumni Liaison | B | |
Chris Couch | GameChanger Coordinator | F- | |
Mark Hocke | Associate Head Coach / Director of Football Strength and Conditioning | C |