Billy Napier on Florida: 'I am absolutely not satisfied with how we've played'

Florida expressed a belief in Billy Napier as the head coach of their football program. With that, Napier is expressing the same in his players in that they can continue to be better to end this season and beyond.

Napier was asked on Monday about the confidence that AD Scott Stricklin had in him last week on Monday. He noted that that was only because of how the team has improved over this season, specifically over the last month and a half.

“You know, what I would say about it is I think that it is a reflection of our players,” said Napier at his press conference. “Any belief or hope or confidence in what we can become is due to the players and the way they’ve performed the last five or six weeks.”

After a 1-2 start, Florida is competitively at 3-3 over their last six since. That includes double-digit wins over UCF and Kentucky, an overtime loss at Tennessee, and an eventual two-score loss to Georgia after a first half where they led throughout the second quarter. The only one that wasn’t close in that span was their last outing in a 32-point loss at Texas on Saturday.

That result is also why Napier is expecting better from Florida still. They’re definitely better but still not better enough to be where they want to be.

“Look, let me say this. I am absolutely not satisfied with how we’ve played,” Napier stated. “Now, we’ve done some good things but, I mean, it’s nowhere close to what it’s got to be consistently for us to be a contender. That’s ultimately what I’m spending my time on.”

Although developing in Napier’s third season, Florida is still looking at a finish that’s right at or under .500 in each of his three seasons. That’s why, although he feels better about where they are than before, Napier still sees a ways to go to get there.

“We need to continue to improve,” Napier said. “We’re getting closer is what I would say. I see the light at the end of the tunnel, you know. I think, obviously disappointed with Saturday to some degree but I do think our group is trending in the right direction. But we’re not there yet.”