Billy Napier had plenty of success in his former job at Louisiana, but took on a whole other animal when he assumed the helm of the Florida Gators in November of 2021.

The fanbase, environment, level of competition and level of expectation are completely different in the SEC, something Napier has quickly gotten a taste of.

Napier said he received some advice from former Florida head coach Urban Meyer after he accepted the job. And it lives with him on a daily basis.

“It’s important for you to understand,” Napier recalled in a recent interview with ESPN. “You’re in a state with 22 million people and you have huge alumni, but you’re also in a state with two hated rivals. So if you fall and trip, not only do you know your small percentage of bandwagon fans get riled up, but you also have two fan bases from others that jump in on the action as well.”

“So,” Napier said, “that’s the reality.”

Napier finished out the 2022 season with an overall record of 6-7, with Florida on a 5-2 track so far just past the midway point of the 2023 season. It’s clear Napier is gaining some upward momentum in his second year with stronger play-calling, and there’s reason for optimism in Gainesville.