Florida football coach Billy Napier sets off-field goals for Gators program

Billy Napier has his vision set as he takes over as Florida head coach. The former Louisiana headman has already started to implement some notable off-field programs, and he opened up about them this week.

During an appearance on 1010XL in Jacksonville, Napier discussed his “Gator-made” program. He said the off-field programs are a big part of setting players up for life beyond football, and that’s been a focus as he prepares to build the program in his first season.

“Part of our responsibility in college athletics and, in particular in college football, is to equip and educate our players for their future after football,” Napier said. “We’ve made a really big investment into trying to create that here within our organization. We have a group of people that we’re calling ‘Gator-made.’ It’s all about life after football. It’s leadership education, character development. It’s macro-internships, it’s leadership conferences, business weekends, service abroad. We teach financial literacy. Really try to create experiences for the [players], expose them to different speakers and people throughout the year.

“We’re trying to connect them with the alumni network through community service, real-life work, internship programs. We had an etiquette dinner, we’ve had a number of different things. I think that this game creates a platform. I think at the University of Florida, we want to have the best student-athlete experience in the country. We know that football is a part of that equation, but I think long-term here we want to make an impact on who they are as people, as well.”

Paul Finebaum sets expectations for Billy Napier’s first year with Florida Gators

After a 6-7 season and the firing of Dan Mullen, Billy Napier will be taking the helm for Florida this fall. Plenty of expectations have fallen on Napier to lead Florida to legitimately compete after an up and down decade. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum doesn’t see it that way.

In fact, he thinks the Gators need to completely reset their expectations.

On Monday’s ‘McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning’, Finebaum said Florida needs to understand what kind of program they are in the present. He thinks it’s been too long since they were at the level they used to be at for them to have the expectations they often do in Gainesville.

“(Florida fans) cannot accept that they are really a mediocre program right now. They can’t accept that,” said Finebaum. “It’s been forever since they won a national championship or an SEC championship.”