After two consecutive losing seasons, Florida coach Billy Napier knew that changes were necessary to turn around the floundering program. And he wasted no time in overhauling almost every aspect of the team. But even with these extensive changes, Napier might not be done yet.
Over the past two months, Napier made several key hires, bringing in new faces to bolster the coaching staff. He hired a 'head coach of the defense,' recruiting former Auburn defensive coordinator Ron Roberts to take charge in that area. Roberts will also serve as an executive head coach and co-defensive coordinator, providing guidance and mentorship to his fellow coaches.
To address the recurring issues on special teams, Napier brought in Joe Houston, a former New England Patriots assistant, as the senior special teams analyst. The hope is that Houston's expertise will help eliminate the consistent mistakes made in that phase of the game. Additionally, Napier made changes in the strength and conditioning department, hiring Craig Fitzgerald, formerly with the New York Giants, as the new strength and conditioning coordinator.
Aside from these coaching additions, Napier also created new positions within the program. He appointed a chief of staff and someone tasked with messaging and motivation. These roles are crucial for ensuring smooth operations and keeping the team focused and motivated.
Napier and the Gators have high expectations for the impact these changes will have on the upcoming season. They understand that their jobs might be on the line if they fail to show significant improvement on the field. Napier expressed confidence that the team would be tough to stop with these new additions.
However, it hasn't been an easy road for Napier since taking over the Florida program. In his first two seasons, he has struggled to live up to the high expectations that followed him from his successful tenure at Louisiana-Lafayette. He's already had to make changes to his coaching staff, and he's currently under NCAA investigation regarding a failed name, image, and likeness deal with a former quarterback signee.
The failed deal involved quarterback Jaden Rashada, who had initially chosen Miami but decided to switch to Florida after being offered an NIL deal worth nearly $14 million. Unfortunately, the deal fell through, and Rashada ended up at Arizona State instead. In response to these challenges, the Gators have reorganized their NIL collective to adapt to the evolving landscape of college football, including the growth of the transfer portal and various legal disputes.
Napier recognizes the need for change and hopes that guidelines and parameters can be established to move forward and focus on coaching football. He remains dedicated to getting the team back on track and improving their performance.
In addition to the reorganization of the coaching staff, Napier has also made adjustments to the team's offensive setup, although he did not provide specific details. There is a possibility that he may relinquish play-calling duties for the first time in his seven-year tenure as a head coach. He mentioned that tight ends coach Russ Callaway could take on more responsibility in this area.
Heading into his third season at Florida, Napier understands the significance of making necessary changes to achieve success. The team has struggled with inconsistency on offense, a historically weak defense, and special teams blunders. These issues, combined with a late drop in the recruiting class rankings, prompted Napier to target high-character players with leadership traits in the transfer portal.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, Napier remains optimistic and believes that the changes made within the coaching staff and the approach to player recruitment will yield positive results. Only time will tell if these changes will be enough to restore Florida's competitive standing in college football.
