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Anytime a team gets a new coaching staff, it’s going to take a while before things start clicking.
In Year 2 of Billy Napier era at Florida, the Gators head coach is liking the improvements his team is making, especially on defense.
Florida gave up 24 points against Utah, but followed that performance up by only allowing 7 points against McNeese State. The Gators defense only gave up 112 total offense yards, including just 46 yards on the ground.
“I think we’re in Year 2. I’ve been pleased with staff improvement,” Napier said during the SEC coaches teleconference Wednesday. “I think each one of the assistant coaches has done a nice job kind of going to another level, second year of our year-round plan for development with the players. Knowing what to do with their time. I do think that they’re benefitting from teaching the same material for the second year.”
Napier gave credit to new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong for the improvements on defense. At just 30 years old, Armstrong has done a good job of connecting to players as well as the staff.
“Hiring Austin Armstrong gave us a chance to have continuity, consistent,” Napier said. “I think Austin’s done a good job from a leadership standpoint of connecting with the staff and with the players.”
Napier also credited an overall improvement in personnel. Adding a few players through the transfer portal along with some true freshmen has helped the Gators get better on the defensive end.
“I do think we’ve improved the personnel to some degree. We’ve added some significant front 7 players,” Napier said. “Not only through the portal, but also I think some really talented true freshmen have made us better.”
Now the Gators have a big test ahead with undefeated Tennessee coming to town. Beating the Vols in the Swamp is a Florida tradition, so Napier will have a big opportunity to keep that tradition alive this week and continue to win fans over.
“The bigger challenges are ahead of us,” Napier said. “Obviously this weekend they present a ton of issues relative to their personnel and their tempo. I do think we’re making improvement much like we anticipated in the second year. So good people, good players and working hard at it, and certainly we need to continue to grow and improve and develop with these young players, but have the opportunity to play our best football down the stretch.”
The Gators and the Vols kickoff at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
