DALLAS — Florida coach Billy Napier quoted Bible scripture when discussing the Gators upcoming season, referring to the faith he has in his program.
Napier, entering his third season at the helm, believes Florida’s experience and chemistry can pull the team through one of the most daunting schedules in the nation.
The Gators face both Texas and Texas A&M, along with LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Georgia in league play along with in-state ACC rival Florida State in Tallahassee.
The Bulldogs, under Kirby Smart, have been particularly tough on Florida with wins in six of the past seven meetings in the teams’ annual series.
“In Hebrews it says, Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, (and) I’ve got all the faith in the world in the people in our building,” said Napier, who many believe to be among the coaches on the proverbial ‘hot seat’ entering the 2024 campaign.
“I like our team. I believe in our team. When people as me why, it’s about experience.”
Napier, a former assistant coach at Clemson under Dabo Swinney and Alabama under Nick Saban, had the Gators’ numbers in order for his presentation:
• 463 starts on this team,
• 17 starters returning,
• 41,000 snaps coming back this year, and,
• 4th in (SEC) in returning production
“We’ve played in a lot of close games,” Napier noted of his first two Florida teams, who have gone a combined 6-10 in SEC play. “We’ve got to learn how to close those games out, and I think that’s where the leadership and experience of this team -- we have to leverage that experience, the lessons that we’ve learned, get in position in the fourth quarter and close those games out consistently.”
The work ethic is there, Napier insists, citing a culture settling in that has proven dedicated in the offseason.
“We’re in year three, our roster has stabilized, the discipline and accountability of this team is at an all-time high and I think some of the adjustments that we made in the offseason have proven to be effective,” the Gators head coach said.
“Just a few weeks ago, 4th of July, we have 53 guys that are in there on Saturday during extra work.”
The fireworks will start early for Florida, with an opening game tilt against Miami (Fla.) than many view as pivotal.
A back-loaded schedule puts a premium on the Gators getting off to a fast start and building the sort of momentum that breeds confidence.
Napier, likely sensing a need to create synergy, has invested time and resources in the sort of team building -- connection — Kirby Smart has utilized since the Covid-shortened 2020 season.
“The game has got a human element to it; I think relationships matter,” Napier said. We do a lot of work with our team trying to create chemistry and camaraderie. We do what we call journey 101 throughout the entire year. We also have a leadership group that meets every two weeks.
" I think when you get into those critical possessions in a game, that connection matters …. Every detail matters. The margin of error is small.”
And that’s where Napier believes having an experienced quarterback like returning signal caller Graham Mertz could provide yet another winning edge.
Graham Mertz, the biggest, the No. 1 storyline,” Napier said, proudly trumpeting his quarterback. “…. the biggest decision that was made to affect our team is when Graham Mertz decided to come back and play quarterback for the Gators.
“Forty-three starts, 8,300 yards, 58 touchdowns …”
Florida can only hope the numbers add up, and the breaks go its way, as the pressure is mounting in Gainesville for Napier to deliver a winner.
