Steve Spurrier reveals why Florida hired Billy Napier
Steve Spurrier will always be a part of the Florida Gators history and the longtime SEC head coach recently opened up about his first impression of Billy Napier, while sharing the specific reason he was hired to replace Dan Mullen.
The former UF quarterback who was the Florida head coach for 11 seasons recently joined the Gators Online Podcast was asked about his initial interaction with Napier shortly after he was hired.
“Yeah it was when he came here and he was announced,” Spurrier said.
“They had an announcement party in a restaurant that night — I talked to him on the phone before that after he got the job, so I talked to him a bit then — but yeah, he runs around most of the time while I’m watching practice”
From 1990 to 2001, Spurrier brought his high-powered pass-heavy offense — similar to the norm in the college footbal landscape in today’s game — but was one of the first to take the innovative offensive approach. And it worked, he lead the Gators to six SEC titles and reached two national title games, winning one.
Steve Spurrier clearly knows a thing or two about the fast-paced offensive-driven approach when it comes to hiring college coaches nowadays and believe Napier’s pedigree, style and vision for the style of play he will bring to Gainesville was the leading factor in him landing the head job at Florida.
“And in the NFL, he’s the kind of guy everyone is after,” Spurrier added. “They are everywhere up there. They go after the offensive coordinator that scores points. And as we know, the game is all about outscoring your oppponent now, it really is.”
Steve Spurrier compares Flordia strategy to Alabama’s model of success
Spurrier then noted Nick Saban and the model he has adapted to while leading the Alabama Crimson Tide — and considering the Gators believe they should be competing with the best teams in the NFL — it’s understandable why the longtime SEC and NFL coach would point to the Crimson Tide program as inspiration for Napier’s hire.
“Nick Saban, he’s not the offensive coordinator but he always tries to hires those kinds of guys,” Steve Spurrier continued. “Lane Kiffin and those guys. They all get great jobs when they leave there, but the trend is a guy who can coach the quarterbacks and coach them well, and score points. So hopefully, that’s what Billy does.
While nothing will matter until fans see the 2021 Florida team take the field, but while there were early questions about Napier, he seems to have a clear plan in place and there’s an obvious newfound energy around a Gators’ program that has had its ups and downs for far too long.