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Anthony Richardson: Billy Napier's coaching style differs from Dan Mullen

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•07/22/22•

ZachAbolverdi

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Photos by Tim Casey and Isabella Marley/UAA Communications

ATLANTA — Florida coach Billy Napier and his predecessor, Dan Mullen, have some similarities in the way they run their offenses.

Both are offensive-minded coaches, call their own plays and work directly with the quarterbacks. However, their coaching styles differ according to Gators QB Anthony Richardson.

“It’s definitely different,” Richardson told Gators Online at SEC Media Days. “Both guys kind of work hand in hand. I try to take information from both. I’m glad I got to work with both.”

Richardson signed with Mullen in the 2020 class and played in four games as a true freshman. His game appearances doubled last season as Richardson started for the first time against Georgia following his breakout performance at LSU.

Richardson was injured in the UGA game and by the time he returned to the starting lineup in the second half against Florida State, Mullen had been fired. Richardson appreciated the opportunity to be coached by Mullen.

“Working with Coach Mullen I definitely learned a lot. He’s a quarterback guru. He knows a lot about the game,” Richardson said. “Sometimes I would be in practice, and he would ask me a route concept based on a coverage and he already knows where the ball is going before you can even process it.”

Richardson connecting with Napier

The learning process under Napier has been a new experience for Florida’s starting quarterback. In the spring, Anthony Richardson said that when Napier is trying to teach him a concept or play, he keeps it simple so his players can get a handle on the offense.

“With Coach Napier it’s different (than Mullen),” Richardson said Wednesday. “He tries to make things simple for you. Whenever you are reading the defense and the coverage, if it looks like this don’t go there, go the other way.

“He has certain ways to call certain plays. It’s just as simple as, ‘Do you want to throw that? Yes or no?  Can you throw it? Yes or no? And if you can’t, then just work this side.’ So, it’s just a matter of just keeping things simple, just helping us.”

In addition to learning from Napier in practice, Richardson has connected with him off the field. During SEC Media Days, the UF signal caller said he and Napier have a similar demeanor, which has made it easy for the two to get along so far.

“Coach Napier being the person that he is, I feel like I can connect with him a lot,” Richardson said. “I see a lot of myself in him. Just the way he reacts to people, treats people and the way he observes things. I’ve yet to really hear him yell. I’m not really a yelling, screaming guy either.

“But just connecting with him, it makes it a lot easier for us to just be men and understand each other. When it comes to the way we get ready and prepare for things, we just watch and see how we can fit in and make everything work.”

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