Andy Staples on Florida's self-inflicted errors: 'That's all coaching'

Andy Staples of On3 didn’t hold back when it comes to the performance of Florida in their 24-11 loss to Utah on Thursday.

Evidently, Staples believes the Gators could’ve made it a much closer game if not for some worrisome coaching mistakes throughout the game, and it falls directly on the shoulders of Billy Napier. Utah is a great team, that’s all well and good, but Florida should’ve made this one a contest.

During his instant reaction following the final whistle, Staples elaborated on his thoughts, prepared with multiple instances of where boneheaded mistakes hampered Florida’s chances at victory.

“Here’s where it runs off the rails,” started Staples. “Red-zone false start forces field goal attempt to miss. Two No. 3s on the field, with Utah punting. Freshman Eugene Wilson, catches a punt while running backward, sets them up with their back against their own end-zone, and then a Ricky Pearsall drop causes an interception that sets up Utah in the red zone. Then in the third quarter, an illegal formation on a 3rd and 1 run that would’ve converted. The next play they end up getting stuffed on third down. The next offensive possession, coming out of a commercial break, they false start. This is all coaching. All of this is coaching.

“This is the part you get paid for Billy Napier. You have a million people on your staff. How do you not notice you have two No. 3s on the field. This game could’ve been close. I don’t know if Florida would’ve won this game, but this game could’ve been very close. Could’ve been a one-possession game in the fourth quarter, if not for all of those things I mentioned. They took points off the board for Florida, they gave points to Utah.”

Alas, that’s simply not the start Napier wanted to get off to during his second season with the Gators. It’s certainly a far cry from the electric victory he had over the Utes last season, where Florida faithful was ready to proclaim him as their next great hope.

Instead, Napier will now have to run the gauntlet, as Florida’s schedule doesn’t exactly get easier from here on out. If the coaching mistakes continue, it’ll be a long, tumultuous season for the Gators.

A lot can change from now until the end of the season, but Andy Staples and Florida fans as a whole need to see a better job done on the sidelines if they’re to believe in the Gators moving forward.