Billy Napier takes time to thank Florida students for selling out season tickets

The hype is building around Billy Napier’s first season as the Florida head coach. If you need proof, look at the student ticket sales.

The Gators student body sold out its season ticket allotment, meaning the student section will be roaring at The Swamp all year long. During his press conference Tuesday, Napier started his opening statement by thanking the students for their interest in his team and expressed his excitement for the atmosphere in 2022.

“Just want to thank our student body for their support,” Napier said as the Gators report to training camp. “Obviously, sold out the season tickets for the students. Without question, I think if you talk to opponents, our student section is a factor. They can impact the game and we’re certainly excited about what they’re going to bring, the energy and how they can to influence the game and certainly help our team.”

Florida gets the 2022 season started in big fashion with a Week 1 showdown against reigning Pac-12 champion Utah on Sept. 3. That game is getting the prime time treatment, too, kicking off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Billy Napier reveals parallels between rebuilding Louisiana and Florida

Florida coach Billy Napier is gearing up for another rebuild. He did it once at Louisiana, and he’s trying to do the same in Gainesville.

Florida moved on from Dan Mullen late in the 2021 season and Napier took over a Gators team that went 6-7 overall and 2-6 in SEC play. In 2017, when Napier became the Louisiana head coach, the Ragin’ Cajuns were coming off a 5-7 season when he took over and he turned them into a Sun Belt Conference power in his four years.

As he tries to turn Florida around, he said he realizes how similar the two situations are.

“There’s a lot of common ground,” Napier said at SEC Media Days. “Each one of these teams — I think each year is a little bit different. But year one, you’re learning your place. You’re learning how to present your product, you’re learning your community, the administration, the players. There are so many people that contribute to your team. That’s where we’re at at the University of Florida and I feel like looking back, it was very similar at UL.