Billy Napier's first post-game speech struck a chord with Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Following the Gators’ 29-26 win over Utah, first-year coach Billy Napier delivered a message to the team during his post-game speech in the locker room.

Florida had just knocked off a top-10 opponent for the first time since 2019, and Napier acknowledged it was a special moment.

“But I want you to learn something. I want you to learn something,” Napier emphasized. “We talk about having a team, we talk about sticking together, doing things together. But that’s what we’ve worked on, OK? You guys can play football! You been playing your whole life. It ain’t about that.

“It’s about the teamwork, the chemistry. It’s about discipline, it’s about detail. It’s about responding during the fight because you were trained that way. Let’s enjoy it, but you remain humble, and you show up with an edge tomorrow and understand we got work to do to get better.”

Napier stressed to his players that talent (or lack thereof) hasn’t been their issue. More importantly, they control the things that have been holding them back as a team and program.

He spoke in fall camp about promoting “propinquity”, which is defined as the state of being close to someone or something. His first post-game speech served as another reminder.

Napier elaborated Wednesday on what he told his team in the locker room.

“When you take over these situations, you try to ask a bunch of questions. You try to listen, especially early on. And I think the consensus was, those were where the issues lie. You had to work hard to galvanize the team, to create chemistry and morale and work intentionally to get to know each other. Not just know their name and where they’re from but know their story. Know a few things where you can know how to motivate a guy and push their buttons. So that you know where he’s right today or maybe something’s wrong,” he said.

“There’s a human element to this game. I think we like to say that football is a game about people, strategy and competition.  And if you ever put strategy or competition at the top that list, you’re not going get the return you want. You’ve got to keep people at the core of what you do. If you think you’re going to outsmart everybody, you’re wrong. If you think you’re going to outwork everybody, you’re wrong. It’s the right combination of those three and you’ve got to keep people at the core of what you do.” 

Gators are closer as a team

Florida linebacker Amari Burney and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. both said players would be arguing during games last season, but that wasn’t the case in the opener last Saturday.

“Last year, when things were going wrong, you hear a fuss,” Marshall said. “But, this year, when we gave up some touchdowns and the offense is about to go on the field, they’re motivating us. ‘We got y’all, we got y’all. We’re gonna score.’ Things like that help us keep our head up.”

Marshall also shared his reaction to Napier’s post-game speech.

“It was very important (to hear). He just preached to us coming together as a team. Being together, everybody motivating each other and things like that. Just the little, small details that will help us,” Marshall said.

“We really weren’t big on knowing each other (in the past). This year, we have to know where our teammates are from. That creates a bond. It creates a bond with everybody and that helps us come together and there won’t be no fussing. I feel like that helped a lot.”