Gators HC Billy Napier Keen On Maintaining Play Calling Duties
Unveiling a fresh offense in 2022 under new guidance, the Florida Gators' attack witnessed promising successes and faced defeating failures.
The rushing game returned to prominence to boast its best standing — at No. 24 in the country with 200.2 yards per game — the program had seen in the area since 2018 when UF ranked No. 27 with 213.5 yards per contest. It was led by a dynamic duo of ball carriers, Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne, and an unexpectedly stout offensive line.
However, despite the glimmers of hope provided by Florida's production on the ground, the system and assortment of plays called by head coach Billy Napier left more to be desired.
As a result, outsiders murmured for potential change at the offensive play-calling helm to benefit both Napier — allowing him to be more attentive to the situational responsibilities falling into a head coaches shoulders — and the offense as a whole.
The suggestion seemingly made its way into the halls of the Gators football facility earlier this offseason. But, at 2023 SEC Media Days, Napier shut down the idea of doing so, at least for the time being.
"I think it's a relevant question," Napier said candidly when asked about potentially relinquishing the duties. "I do think it’s part of the evaluation to some degree. But I feel confident in our process.
"I like having my hand on the scripts, the installation, that process. I think I can help establish our identity and personality as a team through that process. I think if you get too far away from that, I think there could be some things from a sustainable, repeatable part."
Napier's advancement method at the University of Florida has been stressed ad nauseam since his arrival on campus as the new head coach in December 2021.
The SEC's kickoff media conference presented a time to nail home the point further, as Napier and three player representatives, Jason Marshall Jr., Ricky Pearsall and Kingsley Eguakun, each expressed the benefit of added comfort of operating within the framework of his process for a second year.
But, the natural progression that comes with time in the operation stretches beyond player personnel to Napier and Co., as the inaugural season of operating in the Mecca of college football conferences is now under their belt.
"I think we're really benefitting from year two," Napier said. "I firmly believe in that compound effect. Everybody likes to talk about the players in year two. I think there's a huge benefit — we've been fortunate. We've had minimal attrition. We've had a few second and third-tier people throughout the building [depart], but we have a really large group that we've been able to retain.
"Everything we're doing, we're doing for the second time. We've benefited from the Heavener Center. Just much more comfortable in year two. I'm very pleased with the players, and certainly, we're just getting better in all parts of our process in this second year.
"We'll continue to improve and I'll benefit from Year 2 just as much as any player or any staff member."
His answer didn't rule out the possibility of appointing an offensive coordinator.
In fact, he's said on multiple occasions that if he were to, the hire of defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong gives him the formula for creating a smooth transition: targeting an offensive mind who operates the same system despite potential nuance within their play-calling tendencies.
However, until the time comes, if it does at all, Napier will noticeably have his fingerprint at the heart of the Gators' attack. He's using it as a medium to establish and maintain a desired image the team will reflect as a whole.
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