"Change doesn’t happen overnight": Florida HC Billy Napier defends his tenure and team's credibility in 2024 SEC Media Days
Billy Napier is going into the 2024 season with his job on the line. After numerous poor seasons, the Florida Gators coach will need to show major improvement if he is to keep his position. The coach spoke about his job status and his plans for the Gators program during his appearance at SEC Media Days on Wednesday:
“Change doesn’t happen overnight. Timing is everything. When we took the job, what we inherited, the work that needed to be done… we’re on schedule.”
The upcoming campaign will be Billy Napier's third with the Gators. He took over the program from Dan Mullens, who had a successful first three years with the program. However, in 2021, the program struggled, partly due to many top players leaving for the NFL, like Kyle Pitts, without suitable replacements.
The Gators fell to a six-win season, only two of which were against SEC opponents. Dan Mullens was fired as a result and then replaced by Billy Napier. But Napier has shown little improvement in the program's on-field performances during his two years with the team. In both 2022 and 2023, the Gators managed only three conference wins. Their production regressed further in 2023 with only five wins all season.
For many coaches, two poor seasons would put them on the hot seat, and Billy Napier is without a doubt feeling the pressure this year.
Billy Napier updates the media on Cormani McClain
Billy Napier also spoke about the current controversy surrounding the Gators' new cornerback, Cormani McClain, who transferred to Florida from Colorado in May. Reports said that McClain had been late to numerous practice sessions, spreading rumors that he might have been removed from the team.
Speaking to the media at SEC Media Days, Napier said of McClain:
"He's doing fine. A lot of this gets blown out of proportion. He's a young player. Obviously, we're well aware of his history."
The history that Napier referred to relates to McClain's time with the Colorado Buffaloes, where he had difficulty adjusting to the demands of college football. Coach Deion Sander was also publicly critical of the player and said that he lacked commitment to the sport.
Napier then talked about how he runs his program and how McClain is successfully fitting in:
"We run a tight ship. There's structure, there's routine, there's discipline, there's accountability.
"He's (Cormani McClain) had a great week so far this week. He's gained 10 pounds. He's learning expectations, he's learning culture. In the summer, the coaches are not there. This is player-led and I think that's why I've got a lot of confidence in our team. ... He's gonna be OK."
These comments show that Billy Napier believes Cormani McClain can improve despite his previous issues and become a key player for the Florida Gators. Napier's career might benefit if McClain succeeds, but can McClain also help Napier succeed?