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Billy Napier discusses transitioning from Louisiana to Florida, evaluating Gators recruiting class
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Billy Napier has had a bit of a whirlwind making the adjustment from being the head coach of Louisiana to moving to Gainesville to lead the Florida football program.
Napier was announced not long before the Early Signing Period, which means that he had to work quickly to hold on to the Gators’ priority recruits while taking a look at what was available within the transfer portal. Along with that, he had to build an initial staff.
All in all, things have been moving at a breakneck pace.
“Right away, you’re trying to evaluate not only the current commits, do they fit or now, what players are available. I basically had 4 days to go out on the road,” Napier said on ESPNU Radio on Wednesday. “Who do you go see, what are the issues with the current team relative to the transfer portal? Trying to build some rapport, some trust with the current team. And all the while you’re trying to put together a staff.
“So I think I still kinda got my chin barely above the water here but I think that each hire that we’ve made has made the job easier. You know, that’s the most important part of my job is the people that we hire and the people that I surround myself with. So I feel really good about that part and, you know, one day at a time, one person at a time, and I think we’re excited that our team is back in the offseason program. We’re pretty close to being done with the staff and we can kind of settle in here, but patience is key, and certainly we’ve benefited from a great experience so far.”
It's been a fast-paced last few months for new @GatorsFB HC @coach_bnapier.
On #NationalSigningDay he joined @JacobHester18, @ChrisDoering, and @BenHartsock and discussed one important part that's easing his transition. pic.twitter.com/8Fyn8PKmi1
— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) February 2, 2022
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
