Billy Napier on building Florida program: People got to be at the core of what you do

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier has his squad shooting up the rankings already thanks to the team’s Week 1 win over Utah. As they prepare for another key early-season matchup, Napier discussed what he believes is fundamental to building a successful college football program.

“When you take over these situations, you try to ask a bunch of questions and you try to listen,” Napier said. “I think the consensus was that those were where the issues lie. You really have to work hard to galvanize the team, to create chemistry and morale and crossover. Really work intentionally to try to get to know each other. Not just knowing their name and where they’re from but know their story. Know a few things where you can motivate a guy and push their buttons. You know whether he’s right today or there’s something wrong.

“There’s a human element to this game. Football’s a game that’s about people, strategy, and competition. If you ever put strategy or competition at the top of that list, you’re not going to get the return that you want. You have to keep people at the core of what you do… It’s the right combination of those three… It’s one of the reasons we’ve made progress.”

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Florida welcomes Kentucky, which is now one spot behind the Gators in the coaches’ poll, to Gainesville on Saturday for a night game on ESPN in primetime. Napier’s squad opened as a 6.5-point favorite over the Wildcats.

The win over Utah pushed Florida all the way to No. 12 in the AP’s new top 25. They are now the fourth-highest ranked SEC program going into Week 2.

Finebaum explains why Billy Napier isn’t getting credit yet

Following an action-packed weekend, ESPN and SEC Network host Paul Finebaum joined Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic on their podcast to recap the wins and losses. Asked whether he believes the Florida Gators and first-year head coach Billy Napier are getting their due for taking down No. 7 Utah, Finebaum said he doesn’t believe they are so far.

“Having spent a lot of time yesterday on the national shows, Cole, I’ll try not to come off too critical of the network we all work for, but it’s treetop,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning. “Florida was a highlight but it wasn’t a conversation. The conversations were Brian Kelly, obviously, Alabama, Bryce Young, Georgia and Ohio State–Notre Dame, there’s just not enough oxygen to get that far down.

“I still don’t think Billy Napier is very well known outside of a small group of people. When you talk about Billy Napier, it’s Lafayette, Nick Saban assistant, took over at Florida because LSU didn’t want him. It’s a narrative that’s inescapable and it’s also absurd after one week. But I’m sure you’ll get the questions… Billy Napier, was that a better decision? I have no earthly idea right now. After one week, Billy Napier is smiling and Brian Kelly is frowning.”