Billy Napier adds offensive line coach to Florida staff

Billy Napier has added another assistant to his Florida coaching staff. Darnell Stapleton is following Napier from Louisiana to work with Florida’s offensive line.

Welcome to The Swamp @darnellru53! #GoGators

➡️: https://t.co/jjxmhnS4FR pic.twitter.com/IQJWWpHoOP

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 10, 2021

After playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2007-10, Stapleton got into coaching in 2011. Former Florida offensive lineman Max Starks, a former Steeler offensive line teammate of Stapleton, had previously lobbied for the hire.

Excited about the prospect of Billy Napier coming to The Gators! I’m especially if they bring OL coach @darnellru53 with him! His unit is up for the Joe Moore trophy, and would be a great teacher for our line, and get them more aggressive in the run game!

— Max Starks IV (@maxstarks78) November 28, 2021

In his introductory press conference, Napier said he will have 2 on-field offensive line coaches.

“We’re one of the only teams in the entire country to have two offensive line coaches (at Louisiana). We’ll have an offensive line coach and an assistant offensive line coach,” Napier said when he was hired.