In anticipation of the Mississippi State matchup, Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier addresses various aspects of his team’s performance, preparation, and upcoming challenges. Napier emphasizes the importance of balancing humility with enthusiasm, refining practice routines, and maintaining a positive mindset despite recent setbacks. He also offers insights on specific players, game strategies, and the team’s overall progress.
Key topics covered include:
- The team’s approach to maintaining enthusiasm amid adversity
- Adjustments to practice routines, particularly in scout periods
- Challenges in defensive performance and quarterback pressure
- Preparation for the upcoming game against Mississippi State
- Player leadership and emerging talents
- Special teams performance and rule changes
- The coach’s philosophy on staying positive and motivating players
Opening statement:
“Alright guys, I talked with the players a little bit today about how you’re always searching for the the right combination of humility and enthusiasm and when you’re experiencing success, you need some humility and I think when you’ve experienced a setback and maybe some failure, maybe things aren’t going the way you want them to go, there’s adversity. Do you have the ability to bring the same enthusiasm towards the work and maintain that same attitude, that positive energy. I think that’s the challenge. We all have that in us from a human-nature standpoint in both directions and certainly our team right now, the challenge is to maintain that enthusiasm and we have to continue to do the little things right and we have to choose character and all these little things add up. The accumulation of these little decisions over time, in terms of how we approach the preparation for the game but also the self-discipline and how we live life. I do think we had a good day today and I think the players accepted that challenge and we brought that today.”
On the challenges of adjusting Florida’s defense in season and whether the Gators are attempting such changes:
“I would tell you a lot of our conversations this week with players have been about the practice environment relative to habit-building, the intentionality, the focus, in particular, the scout periods. I think that’s an area where we can improve, the quality of those reps from start to finish and all parts working together to get that. So that’s scout offense and then the between-play process for the defense, I think that’s been the point of emphasis. It’s just, the scout periods have to be more intentional. They got to be game-like, there’s got to be a certain level of focus and energy and urgency. We’re trying to recreate the game for the player. That’s the biggest challenge for the scout team and the coaching staff throughout the week is when you’re trying to run the opponent plays, how do you do that and what’s the best method to do that. That’s what we’ve been focused on.”
On the struggle getting to the quarterback:
“At times, we are there. I think we struggled last week to get the guy on the ground a couple times. I think we over-run it, we lose contain, maybe we had pressure designed and it’s going to land and then we — the athlete breaks contain. Ultimately, I think we’ve been in position and we have to work together, the rush has to work with the coverage and I think that’s maybe where we’ve struggled, in particular with the caliber of athlete that we’ve faced at quarterback.”
On Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen and their offensive tempo:
“He’s experienced and he’s played a lot of football. I remember Shapen from high school and know a lot about him. He’s a gritty player, he’s a good athlete, he’s tough and he’s had success in the past. I think for me, any time you’re playing a veteran quarterback, there’s got to be a certain level of awareness about that. To me, that’s what I see. I see a tough, gritty competitor and certainly coach Lebby has always done a good job with the quarterback.”
On Ron Roberts’ familiarity with Shapen from their time at Baylor and how that can help:
“I think he obviously knows — yeah, you’ve been on the practice field quite a bit with the player so there’s some familiarity there in terms of strengths, weaknesses. I would tell you coach Roberts is very complimentary and has a ton of respect for him. I can remember even going back to summer scouting reports, the dialogue there was that Shapen was a really good football player.”
On addressing the disconnect between practice performance and game results, and any adjustments to Florida’s approach:
“I think much of what we just discussed, I would say defensively between-play process have been the point of emphasis this week, Tuesday and Wednesday in particular. Trying to recreate that in a practice setting, the opponent’s plays. That’s been a point of emphasis both practices and I think the players would say that has helped. We went back and defined that. We tried to create a game-like tempo between plays and we’re hopeful that it will help us moving forward.”
On whether or not Florida needs to simplify its pressures to help shore up pass coverage:
“Well, it’s a new week. It’s a different set of variables, new groupings, new formations, different tempo, so a different set of challenges. I think this week, obviously, the tempo is at the top of the list and then obviously the RPO game. Big RPO outfit. They do a good job scripting the tempo, creating rhythm there. First down will be huge in the game. We have to win first down on defense and try to knock them out of rhythm relative to the tempo.”
On how to avoid having players’ mindsets deteriorating:
“The big point of emphasis has just been on improvement. What is the next opportunity for improvement, the next meeting, the next walkthrough, the next practice and then our intentionality in terms of how we approach that. And we have to learn from our experiences. We have to make adjustments as coaches and then obviously players. There’s got to be dialog and feedback there in terms of how we get this team to play a little bit better.”
On managing travel amid Florida’s struggles at home:
“Ultimately, history would say that your first road game in this league is always a struggle. I think just awareness. I think you try to educate the players. I think you always have a lot of new players. So just to educate them, what does that process look like? I think continuity and approach is important, ensure you make adjustments throughout the years. But we’ve worked with great people in the past, and I think our process reflects that. I think the big thing is familiarity with that and then players being comfortable. They know what the schedule looks like, they know what to anticipate in terms of travel.”
On whether or not the team has stuck together and leaders emerged:
“100%. I would say that, again, I think that’s one of the strengths of this team. I do think we’ve got some credible leadership and I think you guys get a chance to meet with quite a few of those guys. I think that would be a good question for them. But I do believe I’ve heard that dialog reconfirmed this week.”
On players who have emerged as leaders:
“Yeah, Slaughter has been outstanding. Dike. Hansen, Mertz, Slackman, Boone, Wingo, Shemar James. I meet with a big group of these guys every Monday or Tuesday each week. But I don’t think we’re lacking for input in that regard. We’ve got a smart group there and they’re very aware, and I think ultimately they’re trying to solve they’re trying to come up with solutions just like this coaching staff is.”
On the impact of not having Eugene Wilson against Texas A&M:
“We’re definitely a better team with Tre Wilson for sure. But I do think Dike and Badger, in particular, stepped up in a major way. We have the ability to in formation plays to get the primary guys in position, much like we’ve done the past. We’ll take what we have each week and we’ll formation it and try to make those guys a primary and secondary. And then the tight end group has been great and obviously the backs. We’ve got to continue to create ways to get the ball to the best players. But I think last week, it’s a heck of a week for Dike and Badger. I thought they did a good job. Who’s the third? I think that’s the question mark. I think those guys will have a little opportunity this week.”
On ways to fix poor safety play:
“Asa being down, really, we’ve been a little bit banged up at star too, Sharif’s been out. Gates has been starting for two weeks ago. So yeah, I think that’s why you work contingency plans, that’s why you work to build position flexibility throughout the offseason. And Coach Harris has always done a good job of that. Those guys are meeting together, so I think there’s some carryover. Yeah, I think it’s probably more a corner moving Star than it is maybe it is Star moving to safety. But being on the same page, that’s the No. 1 ingredient for success. We have to communicate, we have to allow that urgency, and we have to all be on the same page.”
On how hard it is to sit in a room with players when he feels like he’s let them down and doesn’t have answers:
“No, I don’t feel like I don’t have the answers. I feel as if I would agree with what you’re saying. My No. 1, and I told the players this Tuesday prior to practice, that is the No. 1 motivator to me, is to be able to look that group in the eye and see their work pay off. That’s what I’m consumed with, to be quite honest with. There’s nothing more important to me than that. And I think ultimately, as a coach, that’s why I do what I do. I want hard work to be beneficial. I want the work to pay off, and I think the caliber of football is going to get to where we want it to be, where I want it to be, so that they get that return.”
On having to play more man coverage against Mississippi State’s tempo:
“Yeah, I think you got to pick a lane in terms of how you want to play, and you got to have the ability to mix it up – a lot of check with me, so your ability to go back and forth. But I think when you play these tempo teams, the key is to not allow the tempo to ever get started. So win first down, try to create some negatives, try to create some havoc, and then you got to have enough tools to keep them off balance. Because it’s a lot of RPO balls, kind of like basketball, the balls going different spots depending on how you play.”
On facing former Florida commit Creed Whittemore:
“We had a ton of respect for Creed in terms of as a player, a heck of a quarterback, verified speed, football pedigree, the family. We love the Whittemore family, and certainly Creed, we were excited about the possibilities there. But Creed’s had some production, he’s had some big plays, he’s had some returns, he’ll be part of the matchup Saturday.”
On dealing with the noise in Starkville:
“I’ve been to Starkville many times, and ultimately it’s a challenging place to play. They’ve got a passionate fan base, and it’s a rowdy environment. Anywhere you go in this league, there’s no cupcake out there. So the challenge of the venue and the passion of the fan base, and then certainly the talent on the field is always a challenge.”
On getting off to a faster start:
“Yeah, it’s a key to winning football, just in general. If you look at the analytics, there’s a huge emphasis on starting fast. It’s an area in particular for us on offense where we have had some success in the past, and we’ve got to get back to that. We’ve typically been able to get going early. We need to do that. I think you’re spot on. Starting fast is critical at every level of football.”
On whether or not Wilson has a chance to play against the Bulldogs:
You guys get to report tonight at 10 after 8.
On when Wilson got hurt:
“He got hurt during the game. So, yeah, when that happened I think he woke up the next day, and I think we’ve gotten to the bottom of what it is and all that. So, all good.”
On the targeting call on Trikweze Bridges:
“It’s a challenging play. I mean I think ultimately the definition of targeting is in that situation, you know, when he makes contact, the angles that they had access to, the crown of his helmet hits the guy, you know, so by definition, you know, I think they came back and validated the call. But there’s also a little bit of, you know, if we had all the angles and all that, so it is what it is, you know, we had plenty of other opportunities to control the outcome, you know. We’re not – I’m sure there was probably a handful calls that went our way as well throughout the game. So I think it’s a good opportunity to educate the players in terms of player-safety, keeping your eyes up when you tackle. So ultimately, that’s what we got to do.”
On managing defensive penalties:
“Yeah, we’ve got all types of creative things here. Yeah, I mean I think ultimately, we try to start every meeting with any penalty, each position group, these are the couple plays, even if they don’t get called, right? We have a full crew out there, so each position coach starts by coaching ‘Hey, this is how you would avoid that penalty.’ So yeah, there’s no question we had, we had a couple holdings, and we had the targeting, so we need to clean it up for sure.”
On Jaden Robinson:
“It was a great day for Jaden. Jaden’s had a good offseason, I think he’s got instincts. He was a very productive high school player. I think what you’re seeing is the instincts from high school are finally translating. He was a safety as a junior, played kind of that star/ nickel apex player as a senior, and then now he’s transitioned to inside backer last year as a freshman, and I think he’s just accumulating reps there, but Jaden scored a defensive touchdown seven weeks in a row his senior year of high school. So I mean, this guy’s a football player. He’s got orange and blue in him, I mean you cut him open I think he’s got it in him. He’s a Lake City kid, his family, just salt to the earth people. But I do think the inside backer group as a whole, I think has performed well. Now look, there’s a handful of plays like most weeks, but I think for the most part, they’ve done a good job.”
On Florida’s special teams so far:
“Yeah, it’s a bright spot. It’s probably what we’re doing best right now, truth be known. The film’s impressive, the fundamentals and techniques, the organization and I think, and the production. I mean, I think we’ve done a good job controlling the vertical field position in the game. Our specialists are really good, and they’re performing well. And I think Coach Houston and Coach Couch have done a really nice job. So that’s it’s, really an area where we’re driving right now, I think, and we’ve got good height, length and speed, and I think you pair that with specialists and the coaches working their butt off, yeah I think all the numbers would reflect that.”
On how much the rule changes have helped special teams:
“Yeah, it’s huge, yeah. I think we, those guys are really good coaches, both of them, and I think they’ve done a nice job working together and, yeah, players, the effort, the meetings, walkthroughs. We work at it, you know, we had our fair share of blinders here the first couple of years, but our teams typically in the past have been good on special teams.”
On the ever-changing targeting rule:
“The reality is, it’s all about player safety. It’s all about, you know, trying to maintain the integrity of our game, you know, to keep the players healthy, and then certainly for our game to continue to be. I mean, it’s more popular than it’s ever been, and we want young people to continue to play, and certainly avoiding injuries are a part of that, right? So, the safer we can make the game, and like, I mean, I’m all about it, right? And it won’t be long, probably, until we change the kickoff rule, right? We’ll see some modifications there, but we just have access to so much more data than we used to have, relative to the helmets, to concussion protocol, what causes concussions, what doesn’t. So, I mean, I think we’re just learning that, hey, these are things we can do fundamentally to help improve the safety of the game. We need to continue to do that.”
On where he developed the ability to stay positive even when things look so bad:
“Well, you grow up in the game, you know. I think you developed intangibles along the way. Every season has its challenges. You know, even when you maybe are having tremendous success, and then you fall short of a conference championship, or you lose a rivalry game at the end of the year, or you lose the bowl game. I mean, I just think that you, over time, there’s a certain resiliency and toughness that come from the game.
“You know, the most motivating thing, to me, is the players. doing the absolute best that we can do for the players, and getting every part of the organization to do that as well. I think, for me, that’s why I come to work every day, and I think that’s what gets me. And, getting this group of leaders throughout the organization to do their best for the players in every facet. I think we’ve done some things the right way, and there’s other things that we’re still searching. And, we got to continue to look for opportunities and ways that we can improve. And so, I think you just got to get consumed with getting better, you know. And, I think it goes back to keeping people at the core of what you do, having purpose. And look, there’s something to be said for even in young people going through it. You know, they need it, you know. Harder is better. I mean, I think reality is, you know, for these guys, life’s about as simple as it’s going to be right now. So, there will be more challenges ahead. And hopefully while they’re playing and competing in this game, they can learn some things that’ll help them down the road.”
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