Why does the internet think Napier is a home run?

[PacoGator19]

Many of us share that same fear. Not just the SEC but P5 all together. Norvell, Frost, Fuente, Chad Morris, Butch Jones, Jim McElwain, etc.

Your best bet is at least get a guy that built the program they were at before taking a big time gig. From your above list only Frost and Fuente actually built the program they were at before landing a power 5 job. I still think Frost could be a good head coach but again he screwed up by bringing his entire UCF staff with him to Nebraska. I’m a little surprised Fuente didn’t work out as I liked him at the time he was hired by VT. With that being said he was at VT for like 7 years so that isn’t terrible in this day in age of coaching attrition. But no doubt there is risks. You just have to find the guy with the least amount of risk I guess and an potential high ceiling. And that is why I have said multiple times the staff that Napier hires is critical for his success. For example he can’t be bringing his entire ULL coaching staff here and expect to be successful.

 

[weaponx11]

Many of us share that same fear. Not just the SEC but P5 all together. Norvell, Frost, Fuente, Chad Morris, Butch Jones, Jim McElwain,

Sorry man I just looked at your picture next to your post and thought you were a Vols fan 🤣

 

[Michi_Gator]

Your best bet is at least get a guy that built the program they were at before taking a big time gig. From your above list only Frost and Fuente actually built the program they were at before landing a power 5 job. I still think Frost could be a good head coach but again he screwed up by bringing his entire UCF staff with him to Nebraska. I’m a little surprised Fuente didn’t work out as I liked him at the time he was hired by VT. With that being said he was at VT for like 7 years so that isn’t terrible in this day in age of coaching attrition. But no doubt there is risks. You just have to find the guy with the least amount of risk I guess and an potential high ceiling. And that is why I have said multiple times the staff that Napier hires is critical for his success. For example he can’t be bringing his entire ULL coaching staff here and expect to be successful.

You nailed it with Frost and when he did that I was instantly glad We didn’t touch him. From what I have read so far sounds like Napier is targeting guys with more experience. However, I am surprised he isn’t looking for a DC with some SEC ties. The guys he is rumored to be targeting are good coaches and likey recruiters but we need some SEC experience in here.

sounds like Brewster and CRob will get offers to stay.

 

[ocalaman]

Other boards are saying the DC will be either Belk from Houston or Knowles from Oklahoma State.

 

[Michi_Gator]

Other boards are saying the DC will be either Belk from Houston or Knowles from Oklahoma State.

Yes, it will be one of them

 

[TEBOW TIME]

OklahomaSU gives up 30 points every game.

 

[PacoGator19]

You nailed it with Frost and when he did that I was instantly glad We didn’t touch him. From what I have read so far sounds like Napier is targeting guys with more experience. However, I am surprised he isn’t looking for a DC with some SEC ties. The guys he is rumored to be targeting are good coaches and likey recruiters but we need some SEC experience in here.

sounds like Brewster and CRob will get offers to stay.

That is why we didn’t touch Frost last go around. Supposedly Napier is targeting more experienced quality coaches. I don’t know how serious the Doug Belk talk is or if that is just message board stuff but he’s legit. I would be fine with 2 of these 3 staying (Brewster, CRob, McGriff). What is likely is maybe one holdover on each side of the ball? But we certainly don’t want a bunch of holdovers from the previous staff either. You still have to give him the autonomy to pick his guys.

 

[gatorbuilderorlando]

I'm not against it, I'm just confused.

Everything I see is that this a great hire and he's going to build the program the right way.

I will say that I'm impressed that he's had 3 straight 10 win seasons at Lafayette and they've never had a single 10 win season in their entire history, but....idk, it just seems off how the "insiders" are lauding it.

Someone fill me in? Because I remember when I lived in New Orleans last year the radio shows all loved him and really thought that he would take the LSU job when Orgeron was inevitably fired.

Not sure everyone thinks he's a home run as much as recruiting is a real problem - and he seems to be able to do that. Truth is outside of about 3 coaches - everyone else is wait and see imo.

 

[Michi_Gator]

That is why we didn’t touch Frost last go around. Supposedly Napier is targeting more experienced quality coaches. I don’t know how serious the Doug Belk talk is or if that is just message board stuff but he’s legit. I would be fine with 2 of these 3 staying (Brewster, CRob, McGriff). What is likely is maybe one holdover on each side of the ball? But we certainly don’t want a bunch of holdovers from the previous staff either. You still have to give him the autonomy to pick his guys.

Two is perfect. I would assume Brewster is one for sure. I think CRob is the other but he seems to get offers so he may choose to bolt.

You ned usually two holdovers to make the transition smooth.

 

[PacoGator19]

OklahomaSU gives up 30 points every game.

Huh? They do? They have only given up 30 points once this entire year and that was last night against OU.

 

[PacoGator19]

Two is perfect. I would assume Brewster is one for sure. I think CRob is the other but he seems to get offers so he may choose to bolt.

You ned usually two holdovers to make the transition smooth.

Yep CRob is going to get other offers.

 

[TEBOW TIME]

Huh? They do? They have only given up 30 points once this entire year and that was last night against OU.

Have you watched them play since Mike Gundy got there? They have to outscore everybody. Always involved in a shootout. Damn lucky last night they didnt lose and should have.

 

[Michi_Gator]

Have you watched them play since Mike Gundy got there? They have to outscore everybody. Damn lucky last night they didnt lose and should have.

They had no business winning last night.

I am a little
Skeptical he is going for Ok St and Houston guys instead of someone with SEC ties

But its his program and we have to let him do his thing

 

[LizardGrad89]

Bad hire will be gone in 3 years just like the last 3 coaches. When is the last time anyone from the sunbelt went to the SEC and ran roughshod over it? The problem is Strickland. Couldn't talk his first two choices to come to Florida last time(not that they would've been any better) Then gives Mullen a three year extension and fires him a year later. Does that sound like a competent AD? Any other sector of business he would be gone. Add insult to injury you have the clone of Steve Spurrier just sitting there at Ole Miss. Amateur hour!

While I think it's premature to call this a home run hire, it is equally premature to call it a whiff.

 

[GordonGecko]

While I think it's premature to call this a home run hire, it is equally premature to call it a whiff.

I absolutely agree.

 

[GatorNation79]

While I think it's premature to call this a home run hire, it is equally premature to call it a whiff.

weaponx11 sounds like a legend in his own mind. I'm sure he'll be back here when things shake out to tell us all again how important his opinion is....blah, blah, blah

 

[PacoGator19]

Have you watched them play since Mike Gundy got there? They have to outscore everybody. Always involved in a shootout. Damn lucky last night they didnt lose and should have.

Your not making any sense. Jim Knowles is the Okie St DC and has only been there since 2018. He hasn’t been the DC over Gundy’s entire tenure. They currently have the 2nd best scoring defense in the country behind UGA. Just do a little research first is all.

 

[GatorNation79]

Your not making any sense. Jim Knowles is the Okie St DC and has only been there since 2018. He hasn’t been the DC over Gundy’s entire tenure. They currently have the 2nd best scoring defense in the country behind UGA. Just do a little research first is all.

Tebow Time is still throwing back the drinks from the holiday lol

 

[LizardGrad89]

Tebow Time is still throwing back the drinks from the holiday lol

If true, a little jealous here.

 

[TEBOW TIME]

Your not making any sense. Jim Knowles is the Okie St DC and has only been there since 2018. He hasn’t been the DC over Gundy’s entire tenure. They currently have the 2nd best scoring defense in the country behind UGA. Just do a little research first is all.

They also dont play in the SEC and have a cupcake schedule. I will give you the last 3 years schedule and scores of Jim Knowles since you havent done your research

2021 Cowboy Football Schedule - Oklahoma State University Athletics

The official 2021 Cowboy Football schedule for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls

okstate.com

Look at those 3 close calls against a bunch of no name teams at the beginning of the year. If that's 3 decent SEC teams then those are losses.

2020 Cowboy Football Schedule - Oklahoma State University Athletics

The official 2020 Cowboy Football schedule for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls

okstate.com

This year is really bad. Look at those close call games. That's a losing record in the SEC easily.

2019 Cowboy Football Schedule - Oklahoma State University Athletics

The official 2019 Cowboy Football schedule for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls

okstate.com

We DO NOT need this Defensive coordinator in the SEC.

 

[LizardGrad89]

They also dont play in the SEC and have a cupcake schedule. I will give you the last 3 years schedule and scores of Jim Knowles since you havent done your research

2021 Cowboy Football Schedule - Oklahoma State University Athletics

The official 2021 Cowboy Football schedule for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls

okstate.com

Look at those 3 close calls against a bunch of no name teams. If that's 3 decent SEC teams then those are losses.

2020 Cowboy Football Schedule - Oklahoma State University Athletics

The official 2020 Cowboy Football schedule for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls

okstate.com

This year is really bad. Look at those close call games. That's a losing record in the SEC easily.

2019 Cowboy Football Schedule - Oklahoma State University Athletics

The official 2019 Cowboy Football schedule for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls

okstate.com

We DO NOT need this Defensive coordinator in the SEC.

I'm going to fall back on my old standby here and trust the HC to know what he's doing, at least until he proves that he doesn't.

 

[PacoGator19]

They also dont play in the SEC and have a cupcake schedule. I will give you the last 3 years schedule and scores of Jim Knowles since you havent done your research

2021 Cowboy Football Schedule - Oklahoma State University Athletics

The official 2021 Cowboy Football schedule for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls

okstate.com

Look at those 3 close calls against a bunch of no name teams. If that's 3 decent SEC teams then those are losses.

2020 Cowboy Football Schedule - Oklahoma State University Athletics

The official 2020 Cowboy Football schedule for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls

okstate.com

This year is really bad. Look at those close call games. That's a losing record in the SEC easily.

2019 Cowboy Football Schedule - Oklahoma State University Athletics

The official 2019 Cowboy Football schedule for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls

okstate.com

We DO NOT need this Defensive coordinator in the SEC.

Your still not making any sense man. What does the close games have to do with Jim Knowles? He’s not the head coach, he’s the DC. His job is too stop the other team from scoring. In those 3 close games the defense did well. Right now the current Okie St defense is 2nd in the country in PPG for 2021. I didn’t go back and look at the defenses prior to this year under Knowles but again what does a close game have to do with the DC if the defense played good.
And if you have followed the Big 12 at all over the last decade or so it has been a conference that has gotten a reputation that no defense is played at all so the fact that Okie St is even 2nd in the country defensively is actually pretty impressive. Other than that I don’t know anything about the guy. I’ve only looked at his 2021 defense. It does seem like he is a DC that has caught the attention of others.

How Worried Should Oklahoma State Be on Jim Knowles?

The coaching carousel in no on overdrive and one huge concern for Oklahoma State is keeping defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

pokesreport.com

FWIW I also really struggle with somebody saying well they have too many close wins and that isn’t going to work. That just makes no sense to me at all. A win is a win and right now Okie State is battling for a playoff spot. I’d take those results right now.

 

[gatordad3]

I'm not making a comparison to Jim Knowles, but didn't Spurrier hire a DC from K-State whose defense gave up 30+ points to Nebraska in 95? From that same conference no less. Granted some of those points resulted in punt or KO return and a few gaffes on offense for K-State.

 

[PacoGator19]

 

[ocalaman]

OklahomaSU gives up 30 points every game.

Wrong. Even after last night's game against Oklahoma, where they gave up 33 points, the Cowboys defense is 5th in D1 giving up only 16.4 points per game.

 

[TEBOW TIME]

Wrong. Even after last night's game against Oklahoma, where they gave up 33 points, the Cowboys defense is 5th in D1 giving up only 16.4 points per game.

See post #60 and look at all those damn cupcakes they play at the beginning of 2021. If the first 3 games they played this year were against Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas A&M or maybe Kentucky then OSU loses. Sh!t man they dont play anybody but 2 teams and that's Baylor and Oklahoma. The last 2 years they have squeaked by Tulsa. I cant imagine what would happen if the played Georgia or Bama. Bring Jimmy to the SEC and watched him get his A$$ handed to him.

 

[PacoGator19]

We better hope we can score next

See post #60 and look at all those damn cupcakes they play at the beginning of 2021. If the first 3 games they played this year were against Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas A&M or maybe Kentucky then OSU loses. Sh!t man they dont play anybody but 2 teams and that's Baylor and Oklahoma. The last 2 years they have squeaked by Tulsa. I cant imagine what would happen if the played Georgia or Bama. Bring Jimmy to the SEC and watched him get his A$$ handed to him.

FWIW post #60 is stupid and doesn’t make much sense. Next it is Okie St. Not exactly a big time program. The fact that they are doing as well as they are is pretty impressive. Secondly they play in the Big 12 and not the SEC so that is just a bunch of what if scenarios you are proposing. Let’s just say Knowles was UFs DC. He would be the DC of UFs defense against the SEC not Okie St’s defense against the SEC. The 2021 Okie St defense is top 5 in the country so why would you need to score a lot if your defense is top 5 in the country?
What are the scores of those games that you are complaining about that are “close wins” LOL?

 

[weaponx11]

While I think it's premature to call this a home run hire, it is equally premature to call it a whiff.

That's fair. I'm just skeptical but i hope he succeeds.

 

[PacoGator19]

5 reasons why Billy Napier was the right hire for Florida

Here are five reasons why Billy Napier will be successful in Gainesville.

gatorswire.usatoday.com

 

[gatorbuilderorlando]

See post #60 and look at all those damn cupcakes they play at the beginning of 2021. If the first 3 games they played this year were against Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas A&M or maybe Kentucky then OSU loses. Sh!t man they dont play anybody but 2 teams and that's Baylor and Oklahoma. The last 2 years they have squeaked by Tulsa. I cant imagine what would happen if the played Georgia or Bama. Bring Jimmy to the SEC and watched him get his A$$ handed to him.

In case ppl are making notes - this is called moving the goal posts lol.

 

[ocalaman]

In case ppl are making notes - this is called moving the goal posts lol.

The guy must be related to Fauci.

 

[bradleygator]

I'll say this, after watching all this craziness, I'm glad we acted fast and got our guy in place quickly. Good job by Stricklin having a plan and getting it done quick. Whether he turns out to be any good is another question.

 

[BayouGator1995]

Napier is getting all the love now, but we'll see.

 

[PacoGator19]

Jaguar players warn returning Gators: Billy Napier will demand their best, accept nothing less

The Jaguars have two players, tackle Cam Robinson and practice-squad defensive back Michael Jacquet, who have experience with new Gators coach Billy Napier.

www.jacksonville.com

 

[Countygator1]

Good article

 

[gatordad3]

FWIW post #60 is stupid and doesn’t make much sense. Next it is Okie St. Not exactly a big time program. The fact that they are doing as well as they are is pretty impressive. Secondly they play in the Big 12 and not the SEC so that is just a bunch of what if scenarios you are proposing. Let’s just say Knowles was UFs DC. He would be the DC of UFs defense against the SEC not Okie St’s defense against the SEC. The 2021 Okie St defense is top 5 in the country so why would you need to score a lot if your defense is top 5 in the country?
What are the scores of those games that you are complaining about that are “close wins” LOL?

This sucks!

 

[PacoGator19]

This sucks!

View embedded media

Knowles did a very good job with Okie St D. Top 5 in the country in a league that plays no defense. They do say it takes some time to learn, etc which could be a bit of an issue in CFB.

We are looking elsewhere for our other Co-DC.

 

[SwampLander]

The guy had no ties to the south. Glad he went elsewhere...

 

[fsu939913]

I'm not against it, I'm just confused.

Everything I see is that this a great hire and he's going to build the program the right way.

I will say that I'm impressed that he's had 3 straight 10 win seasons at Lafayette and they've never had a single 10 win season in their entire history, but....idk, it just seems off how the "insiders" are lauding it.

Someone fill me in? Because I remember when I lived in New Orleans last year the radio shows all loved him and really thought that he would take the LSU job when Orgeron was inevitably fired.

I'm not sure. Lsu got Kelly, USC got Riley, he'll UM even landed Mario. I'm not saying Napier isn't a good hire but he's the one who has proven the least. I feel like he can be a boom or bust hire. The others you kind of know what you are getting.

 

[PacoGator19]

I'm not sure. Lsu got Kelly, USC got Riley, he'll UM even landed Mario. I'm not saying Napier isn't a good hire but he's the one who has proven the least. I feel like he can be a boom or bust hire. The others you kind of know what you are getting.

Mario got fired from a G5 job in Florida no less. He has a career 62-60 record. He can recruit like crazy but terrible X’s and O’s Although it does put a little pressure on FSU as it looks like both UF and Miami are going to spend big now on coaching staff and recruiting and support staff.