Florida’s Billy Napier to remain play-caller amid sluggish start, says offense is ‘always being evaluated’

Florida’s lackluster get started to Year 2 beneath trainer Billy Napier, specifically on offense, has failed to quell questions on his function because the group’s play-caller and quarterbacks trainer. Through 5 video games, the Gators rank 9th amongst SEC groups in general yardage and useless closing in scoring at 25 issues in step with sport. A 33-14 loss at Kentucky in Week 5, which dropped the Gators at 3-2 getting into October, may finally end up being a turning level for Napier as he evaluates the state of this system. As of Monday, on the other hand, Napier says he intends to remain the group’s offensive play-caller heading right into a Week 6 sport vs. Vanderbilt. 

“I spoke about it briefly in the preseason that everything we do is always being evaluated,” Napier said. “I think one of the things that is challenging as a leader when you have a core responsibility [is] if things can be done better in that area, then you’ve got to be able to tell yourself the truth, if that makes sense. I would tell you that I am a lot more critical of myself than anybody on the outside.”

Florida fell at the back of 23-0 towards the Wildcats earlier than in any case getting at the board earlier than halftime — a 4-yard landing from quarterback Graham Mertz to tight finish Hayden Hansen. It was once too little, too overdue. Florida misplaced its 3rd consecutive sport to Kentucky, the longest such streak within the sequence since losing 4 in a row from 1948-51.

The trail ahead does not get more straightforward, both. Four ranked combatants are left at the time table, together with top-ranked Georgia and No. 5 Florida State, each rivalries. No. 21 Missouri and No. 23 LSU also are at the docket. The Gators did beat a ranked Tennessee group at house in Week 3, however what sits forward simplest provides to the urgency for Napier to proper the send.

“There is no sugarcoating this thing,” Napier added. “We have no excuse. We can coach better and we can play better. Hopefully, we will do that.” 

Florida is 9-9 general beneath Napier, who went 6-7 in 2022. Napier was once in the past 40-12 in 4 seasons at Louisiana and guided the Ragin’ Cajuns to 3 consecutive 10-win seasons from 2019-21 with AP Top 25 finishes in each within the latter two years. 

The scenario may also be in comparison to Texas A&M, the place trainer Jimbo Fisher confronted intense scrutiny for his function within the offense amid a 5-7 marketing campaign in 2022. Fisher employed Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator within the offseason. The effects had been quick: The Aggies at the moment are averaging 36.8 issues thru 5 video games after breaking the 30-point threshold simply two times in 2022 — regardless of an harm to quarterback Conner Weigman.