Billy Napier, new staff working to build trust with Florida players
Florida coach Billy Napier has been on the job for over two months, but just a limited portion of that time has been devoted to the team he inherited.
He immediately hit the road recruiting after his introductory press conference Dec. 5, while the Gators began practicing for their bowl game against UCF.
After Early Signing Day (Dec. 15) and the Gasparilla Bowl (Dec. 23), the players went home for the holiday break and Napier ramped up his staff hires.
The team reported back for classes Jan. 5, but then Napier and his coaching staff hit the road again the following week when the dead period ended.
The Gators started their offseason program under Mark Hocke on Jan. 18, while Napier focused his efforts on closing out the 2022 class. He and his assistant coaches, in accordance with NCAA rules, have also been restricted in how much time they spend observing workouts.
Nonetheless, Napier has met and interacted with the team to start building relationships. He’s well aware that it takes time and some battles in the trenches before trust can be established between new coaches and players.
But so far, Napier is pleased with what he’s seen from the team during phase one and how they’ve responded to him and his staff.
“I think it’s been really good,” Napier said in an interview with ESPN Gainesville’s Steve Russell. “We got work to do. I don’t think that trust and respect happen overnight. We’re asking for that opportunity. Our strength and conditioning staff, training room, nutrition, sports performance and science, that development part of our organization is really taking the lead right now.
“They’re working with the players each day. Our staff has been on the road recruiting, but we’ve been intentional about things. Last week, every position coach and GA (graduate assistant) and QC (quality control) and strength coach took their group out to eat on Monday night.”
Florida outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson took his position group to Embers Wood Grill, with Brenton Cox Jr. tweeting a photo of their night out.
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Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter also took to Twitter last Monday after eating with his new position coach, co-defensive coordinator Sean Spencer.
Dexter tweeted, “This staff (is fire)” and added, “Players go harder for coaches who really care bout ’em.”
UF defensive end Princely Umanmielen and linebacker Scooby Williams quote tweeted Dexter’s first post with their approval.
Dexter has been a vocal supporter of Napier dating back to December, sharing a photo of them embracing each other prior to the bowl game. Napier thinks that time around the players helped him early on.
“As awkward as maybe the bowl game was being around and observing that, I do think it kind of gave us a little bit of an opportunity to build some rapport, even if it was just putting a face with a name,” Napier said. “I think that would have been a lot more difficult if they were back in their hometown and we were trying to create some trust there and build some communication.”
Napier and his staff members took a break after National Signing Day, but he said they’ll be back in the office Wednesday.
