You really could not make it up...
https://mississippitoday.org/2021/1...silly-season-nobody-could-make-this-stuff-up/
https://mississippitoday.org/2021/1...silly-season-nobody-could-make-this-stuff-up/
My take on college football's $illy $eason...
- Thread starter Rick Cleveland
- Start date
Napier is a home run hire for Stricklin?
Could you elaborate please?
Edit: If you were still with the Clarion-Ledger, I'd expect that to be in a later column but since your Mississippi Today pieces are more focused with in-state topics I thought I'd ask. Thanks!
Could you elaborate please?
Edit: If you were still with the Clarion-Ledger, I'd expect that to be in a later column but since your Mississippi Today pieces are more focused with in-state topics I thought I'd ask. Thanks!
Glad to: Look at Napier's record, who he learned from, how he did what he did at Louisiana. I just believe Napier is a rising star in this business. I think he'll win at Florida. I can't believe the AD at LSU just ignored him. Just my opinion, which is what my column usually is...
Rick certainly may have further thoughts, but Florida managed to get a coach that LSU couldn't, he has a good pedigree, and he's shown himself to be a competent HC and a place that's tough to win. That may not be a grand slam but it's at least a solo shot.
Guess that is Rick's opinion but I agree, on paper, Mullen would have been seen more of a HR hire by Stricklin than Napier at the point at which each was hired. Mullen had previously worked at Florida and knew the culture and had proven success at a P5 program in the same conference. Napier has done a great job at ULL but we have seen guys that have performed really well at G5 schools before with no P5 experience as a HC fall on their face at the next level (including multiple Saban disciples). Mullen won 29 games in his first 3 years at Florida. I will be very surprised if Napier matches that.
I agree that Napier is a very good coach, but I don’t believe that any coach should ever be considered a home run hire immediately upon hiring. The ball is still in the air with good trajectory, but it hasn’t cleared the fence yet. Let’s see how things play out.
Napier is going to have to quickly "win back" the locker room if he hopes to get as many wins as Dan did in his first three years.
The culture among Florida recruits is a bit different than what Billy is used to at La-La Lafayette.
We will see... but I don't think Billy's gonna make it.
The culture among Florida recruits is a bit different than what Billy is used to at La-La Lafayette.
We will see... but I don't think Billy's gonna make it.
I'm not sold on Napier myself. He may do fine but stepping from ULL to the stage that is Florida with their fans, alumni, and Spurrier is a massive step up. Kinda like rebuilding a vintage Mustang till it is running great then trying step in to be the driver for a NASCAR machine and learn your crew, owner, and competitors in a year.
We wanted Napier, whiffed, then ended up with Leach. That's just the way it tends to go. I'm not arguing with the way it turned out at the moment.
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