Billy Napier happy with early growth of defense under Austin Armstrong

Billy Napier was pleased with the early growth of Florida’s defense under new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. Armstrong was at Southern Miss as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach over the last two seasons. He was the youngest defensive coordinator in the FBS in 2021.

But that hasn’t stopped the development at Florida.

“I think he’s doing really well,” Napier said of Armstrong. “Today at times we were a little bit up and down. We were hot and cold to some degree. We’re really good at times in the scrimmage and we had issues at times. So, we’re playing combinations of players. Sometimes I have to work to remind some of these coaches, ‘Hey, don’t forget we just got to put 11 out there at once.

“The way we approach it, we spread the work out. We want to hit a quota for each player, get everybody quality work, and then have an opportunity to teach every player. So no doubt that Austin’s hit the ground running.”

Despite losing pieces, Napier was confident in Armstrong’s ability to develop a new-look defense.

“We’ve improved the personnel and I think the young players, the newcomers over there are making a difference,” Napier said. “All the people from a strategy and teaching standpoint, fundamentally, they’re much more familiar with the system. That’s getting overlooked, I think. So Mike, and Sean and Cory, that entire group there, really Jay, the whole group and the second-tier staff that’s on the ball that is returning. 

“So we lost a few pieces, but I think the second tier and the infrastructure helps you absorb that a little bit.”

The Southern Miss defense ranked sixth in the Sun Belt in scoring defense (23.5 ppg), which ranked No. 45 nationally in 2022. The Golden Eagles were third nationally in tackles for loss per game (8.3), fifth in sacks (3.38) and seventh in interceptions (17). USM was also third in fourth down conversion defense (.231).

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During his first year as the Southern Miss defensive coordinator, the team ranked No. 42 in total defense, besting their mark by 18 spots from the season before. Armstrong’s defense also ranked in the top 10 in the country in first downs allowed (No. 2), fumbles recovered (No. 4), red zone defense (No. 6) and defensive touchdowns (No. 7) while finishing at No. 15 in turnovers gained and No. 24 in passing yards allowed.