So far, Billy Napier’s tenure as the Florida Gators head coach hasn’t gone according to plan. At Louisiana, Napier had three consecutive 10+ win seasons, leading to an incredible 40-12 record. He also won two of three bowl games.
But the story has been much different at The Swamp, where the Gators have yet to post a winning record under Napier. After a six-win and five-win season from 2022 to 2023, Florida is off to another rough start after losing their season opener in unceremonious fashion, 41-17, to Miami (FL).
Of course, Florida received more criticism after its loss, but Coach Napier didn’t want to hear any of it.
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Billy Napier doesn’t want to hear Florida Gators social media criticism
Any time a team loses, whether it’s the first or last game of the season, there’s bound to be frustration. Some players and coaches handle this criticism better than others. Yet, Billy Napier doesn’t seem to be handling it well.
Napier took time out of his recent media appearance to take a shot at the local Florida fanbase. This one won’t earn him any more fans.
“I think, ultimately, a loss early can be a blessing if you don’t waste it. One thing I can say is that we have a group that’s working hard. I do think that we have character. We have to go to work on the football part. And I think we have to become a more consistent team, and we have to execute better. If we can focus on those things and not necessarily what some guy in his basement is saying in rural Central Florida on social media, then we got a chance to get better.”
Billy Napier on Florida’s ‘basement dwellers’
As many have pointed out, Florida homes aren’t necessarily flooded with basements. That’s swamp country, but it seems like Napier has forgotten where he’s at. However, Napier’s comments have at least sparked a new trend on social media.
Chances are Napier’s not going to live this one down, or his struggles with water bottles. If he didn’t appreciate the critical remarks before, he’s not going to like what the Florida fanbase has in store for him in the future either. Yet, all it takes is to put a winning football team on the field, and Napier will finally have something to celebrate again.
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