Billy Napier frustrates fans as halftime adjustments leave plenty to be desired
Billy Napier is developing a reputation among Florida fans for his lack of halftime adjustments, or simply that the opponents are outcoaching the Gators after halftime.
His aggressive play-calling early, and then going for a 2-point conversion late in the game were among the headscratchers for Florida fans. In terms of the big picture, the Vols outscored the Gators 21-19 in the second half.
In the Utah game, the Utes won the 3rd quarter by running the football at a better clip. Last week against South Florida, Napier credited the adjustments the players and staff made after halftime, as the Bulls rushed for 88 yards in the second half compared with rushing for 198 yards in the first half.
“At halftime, we went in the locker room and really cleaned it up,” Napier said this week, per Gator Sports. “That’s one of the good things that I see. It’s like, okay, new concept. We’re able to understand that. Here’s the concept. Here’s the call. Here’s how we clean that up. And we didn’t make the same mistake twice, which is good. We defended some of those plays better in the second half.”
Here’s a sampling of some of the reaction:
Billy Napier needs to hire a “halftime adjustments coordinator”.
And fire the “game changer”!
STOP RETURNING THE KICKOFFS!
— brocknoxious = MAGA Republican (@brocknoxious) September 24, 2022
How many defensive adjustments did Napier and Toney make at halftime? pic.twitter.com/eKTLqFtPxC
— Jared Johnson (@asianjared) September 24, 2022
This is the 3rd game Napier has not made the adjustments @ halftime like the opponent’s coaches have done to win the game. @FloridaGators
— Javier Garcia-Bengochea, MD (@revivecuba) September 18, 2022
If the Gators have any fight. Any punch. They better show it here.
Starting to wonder about Napier’s halftime adjustments. Or lack there of.
— ??? ??? ?? (@TheDocRFP) September 18, 2022
I’m already out on Napier. Dude can’t make adjustments
— Eric Dickerson’s Shades (@AntiBooger) September 24, 2022
Beyond unimpressed with Billy Napier. His play-calling was lazy at best, seemed to inhibit the offense throughout the game. He made some questionable choices on fourth downs, some good, some bad. Anthony Richardson is a baller; I hope he can get some more chances to show that. 1/
— Austin Chastain (@ChastainAJ) September 24, 2022
If you are a Florida fan you have to fire Billy Napier. It’s bad enough to lose but to cost your entire fanbase the cover by inexplicably going for 2 is treason.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 24, 2022
I’ll need to see what we are next year to have an opinion of Napier but I’m not incredibly impressed with the on field results. Play calling, adjustments, etc. off the field he’s checked every box
— ?? (@brownieebatter) September 24, 2022