I think that is partially true, but the admin also understood that Willie took a train wreck and lit it on fire (minus improving grad rates). The COVID season was considered a wash, so 2021 was Norvell's first true season. He build this program on a complete cultural change and mastered the transfer portal. (there's a great article about one of those transfers and his perspective on culture under Norvell--those kids are bought in).
Here's what FSU's Dominic Robinson said about your program (after this weekend's game). UF is not far away from being good. You are more talented than UM and your backup QB is a lot better than Mertz. DR's wife is a UF grad and his son apparently is going to play baseball there, so he has watched most of your games this season.
What I saw from your UF team this weekend was more cultural than talent; very undisciplined. You guys had like 50 penalty yards in the 4th qtr alone and players getting ejected for spitting, late hits and I even saw one player jerk away from their coach.
...and I'm not sure how much exposer the team had to some of the tasteless fraternity stuff, but I know most of you on here agree this is in poor taste.
So, unlike Willie being hire with a losing record and reportedly being very unorganized, Billy came in with a solid winning background, much like Norvell, so I'd give him at least one more season to turn things around. He's got to get control of that lockerroom first, though, and get the players to buy in to whatever he's selling. It's possible. Norvell got ours turned around after 4 losing seasons in a row under Willie & Mike.
