Florida, Miami on the right path, still experiencing growing pains

On3’s JD PicKell recently broke down some of the biggest misconceptions in the college football landscape heading into the 2023 season, and believes that some people’s perspectives on the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Gators are all wrong.

“There is the thought out there that Miami and Florida are both just down bad, and I wouldn’t say you’re correct in assuming that both those programs are at low points right now,” PicKell said. “But I would also say the low point to me is like the starting point. Like when you’re looking up at a mountain, yes you’re at the low point of the mountain, but it’s because you’re still starting the climb. And that’s what I think is going on at Florida and Miami.”

Both Miami and Florida hired new head coaches heading into the 2022 season, as Mario Cristobal led the Hurricanes to a 5-7 and Billy Napier led the Gators to a 6-7 finish in their respective first seasons.

But just three years ago in the sunshine state, another coach by the name of Mike Norvell led his team to an even worse 3-6 record in his first season at the helm, a team that the entire country now looks at much differently.

“Florida State to be real had a pop year this last year, huge expectations for 2023, but Florida State also missed a bowl game two years ago. A year can change a lot of how we perceive these teams,” PicKell said. “Florida is recruiting really well right now in the 2024 cycle, Miami had a top 10 class last year. They’re doing the right things and I think there has to be some growing pains that goes with a first-year head coach.”

PicKell also broke down the circumstances and situations that both Cristobal and Napier were placed in upon their first seasons, starting with the latter.

“And I also said this on a previous live show and I’ll say it again right now, not all year-one situations are created equally,” PicKell said. “Dan Mullen didn’t really help Billy Napier a whole lot when he left the cupboard not really stocked for him when it comes to the talent he had on defense and the depth on defense.”

PicKell continued, “Mario Cristobal walked in and there was some things offensively, schematically that he felt weren’t a fit. The offensive line personnel wise wasn’t good enough, like these situations weren’t just ready made to walk in and win a conference title. So to say they’re down bad and you gotta just ignore them, I think that’s irresponsible, I think it’s a misconception to just discredit and count out Miami or Florida.”

Making a splash in your first season as a collegiate head coach at the Power 5 level is a tough thing to do, but coaching at programs as historic as Florida and Miami also comes with a different set of expectations. And it will surely be interesting to see when, or if, Napier and Cristobal can start to meet those lofty standards.