Billy Napier talks team morale and player development: ‘It’s a lot of fun to come to work’
By Keith Farner
Published:
Billy Napier and the Florida Gators have turned a corner in recent weeks, and it’s led to progress for the first-year coach in implementing his process into the program.
Napier discussed player development and how they’ve stepped up lately.
“The staff’s done a terrific job,” Napier said Wednesday on the SEC coaches media teleconference. “All these things take place throughout the year. … Building depth on your team with your year-round plan. All the players get reps, everybody’s working hard to improve. … That’s how this game works. You have to be prepared to play well when the door opens for you.”
The new system is beginning to fall into place for both the players and coaches, he said.
“It’s a lot of fun to come to work right now,” Napier said. “I’m really very pleased with the staff’s approach. The players, as they get more comfortable, they’re really trying to play the game with the right intent. The team dynamic, morale, is much better right now. Obviously winning helps that. … I see our systems getting better. … You always are thinking about your process and getting your team ready to play. We’ve seen the intangibles improve.”
This week, Florida travels to Vanderbilt, and is faced with a tough defense.
“Clark and his staff have put together a great blueprint,” Napier said. “They create issues for you. They have height and length up front … that can create some problems for you at the point of attack.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
