Chris Doering shares main frustration with Florida's fan base
After Florida moved on to its fourth coach since the departure of Urban Meyer, fans have gotten restless. They want a program like the one from Meyer’s tenure that competed for national titles and was a factor every season.
With the addition of Billy Napier, recruiting got off to a slow start, and fans have gotten frustrated with recruiting, especially since that believed to be the main reason Dan Mullen was fired in November.
Appearing on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” Chris Doering, a former Gators wide receiver and current SEC analyst shared his frustrations not with the program, but with the fanbase.
“The impatience is something that really frustrates me,” Doering said. “And when I say negativity, everybody has that vocal minority on the internet, chat rooms, everything else. But the fact that so many people are caught up in the recruiting, which the recruiting has gotten better the last week. This run of commitments that Florida’s had, in the last 7 to 10 days has, I think, changed a lot of people’s opinions. But guy hasn’t even coached a game yet. Let’s give him some time to build some relationships and start recruiting after he has those ties in the state that you need to be successful.”
Even with recruiting having been an issue, the Gators have still landed top-20 classes and multiple players that have been selected high in the NFL draft. They have had major holes in recruiting, especially on the defensive line.
“They’ve got to do a better job of recruiting defensive line, as I talked about with Auburn, Florida is known for their defensive line,” he said. “They’ve got to get better up front with stopping the run and creating pressure in that way.”
Later in the interview, Doering noted that Napier feels good about his starters, but that the depth will have a “major impact” on how the season plays out.
The Gators start out the season on Sept. 3rd against Utah in a game that will likely help or hinder fans perceptions of Napier.
Truer words have never been spoken. The late 2000’s boosted the egos to such a extent that the hot air still hasn’t all evaporated yet. Give the guy time and a fair shot.
So exactly which coach should Florida have given more time? Muschamp? Mcelwain? Mullen? If your gonna say Florida fans are impatient, at least point to an example where they were wrong.
This is the thing. Zook went to Illinois, failed and got fired. Mushy went to SC, failed and got fired. Mcelweird has not set the world on fire in his new job. I predict White will join the list in a few years. None of the coaches were on an upward trajectory when terminated and none of them have gone on to have success elsewhere.
Correction. White chose to leave, not fired but he will be when UGA gets tired of Zombie ball.
Totally agree with swamp79. Vol fans have been charged with impatience since fulmer was fired but I ask the same question. Who should we have given more time to? Doofus Dooley, butch the rodeo clown Jones or coach potato head Pruitt? As far as recruiting goes Florida should land a top 30 class with no coach at all. Tge luxury of being in Florida. Most of the complaining fans are probably in the minority and are always the loudest and on all the sites.
If anything…Muschamp & McElwain were not fired soon enough, especially Muschamp, what a program destroyer he has been. The S.C. program was in shambles when he was shown the door.
This is a rehash. Doering made pretty much identical comments days ago.
Expect Doering to be negative for awhile. His mortgage biz is taking a hit now.
LOL.
Creepy Chris has a pretty good head on his shoulders.