Billy Napier credits Steve Spurrier for providing Florida players with extra motivation vs. LSU

While it might be hearsay from an ESPN cameraman, the notion that Steve Spurrier offered to pay the field storming fine in the event Florida upset LSU was a potent idea. And one that apparently found it’s way into the Gator locker room.

And after Florida did manage to knock off the Tigers — albeit without a field storming — head coach Billy Napier acknowledge that it offered a bit of extra motivation. He’s always happy when the Head Ball Coach gets involved, even if it’s just whispers in the locker room about him putting his money where his mouth is.

“Yeah. I tell you what — first of all, let me say this: Our players got wind of that and they were talking about it earlier today, and I think it juiced them up a little bit,” Napier said. “Any time the Head Ball Coach speaks, we listen. This is his place. Player, coach, Gator legend. And I’m thankful for Coach. Coach has been phenomenal since the first day I got here. For him to continue to support these guys, I think it’s a big deal and maybe we’ll get to do that in the future.”

And while Napier was praising Spurrier, praise was pouring in for him from afar.

ESPN’s Booger McFarland was quick to laud Napier on the network after the win.

“We came into this season saying Florida’s schedule is something nobody could master,” he said. “Everybody wanted to fire Billy Napier. It wasn’t if we’re going to fire him, but when. All he did was roll his sleeves up. Give him a little time. Billy Napier’s a good coach. Just because you don’t have the success early doesn’t mean that he’s not a good coach. I’m so happy for Billy because everybody in Gainesville wanted to run him out of town. Everyone. Even some of the players and maybe even some people in the administration. He didn’t worry about it. He just rolled his sleeves up. He went to work.

“You can tell that he hasn’t lost that team. Those players played hard for him tonight. This was a great win for Billy Napier and it’s a lesson to fans. Don’t look at the schedule in the preseason and don’t worry about all the outside factors. If you gotta good coach, let him coach. Scott Stricklin, good job by him. He came out and said he’s coming back next year. The recruiting has picked up. Great job by him and good win for them.”

His colleague, Kirk Herbstreit, chimed in while the game was still ongoing with a similar message.

“No idea if [Florida football] is gonna end up winning this game today but damn is it impressive to watch this team play with energy,” wrote Kirk Herbstreit on Twitter during the game. “Have faced a lot of adversity and sitting at 4-5 easy to see teams lose their focus and drive.

“Kudos to Billy Napier, his staff, snd especially these players for BRINGIN IT! Great sign of the culture in Gainesville!”

On3’s Chandler Vessel and Thomas Goldkamp contributed to this report.