Steve Spurrier calls out Billy Napier: 'We do wish the organization was a little bit more tidy'
Billy Napier is off to a rough start at Florida after finishing with a losing record in each of his first two seasons. A portion of the Gators fanbase is questioning if Napier is the right guy for the job. Now Florida legends Steve Spurrier and Chris Doering are joining in.
Those two recently spoke with Gene Frenette about the Florida program and in particular Napier.
It’s safe to say Spurrier and Doering aren’t sold on Billy Napier being the guy to get the Florida program back to an elite level.
“There’s a feeling around the Gators of ‘What the heck are we doing?’” Steve Spurrier said, according to Frenette. “There’s a lot of questions that I don’t have the answers to about organization.
“Just because you hire the most people doesn’t mean you’re going to win. All these extra people, I question how much that really helps.”
Spurrier likes Napier as a person, but he isn’t sure about all of the strategies he is implementing in Gainesville.
“Billy [Napier] is a good guy who works his tail off. I like Billy, good family man. But we do wish the organization was a little bit more tidy,” Spurrier said, according to Frenette.
Chris Doering, who is in the University of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame, has some of the same question marks about Napier. Doering is well aware that an outspoken portion of the fanbase is ready to move on and bring in a new coach.
“I think there’s a lot of people that don’t have the patience on the football side and are clamoring for something different,” Doering said. “I don’t think anybody argues Napier is a tremendous person, but a lot of fans wonder if he’s the right fit.”
Steve Spurrier won six SEC titles and a national title during his time at Florida. He was also named the SEC Coach of the Year on seven separate occasions.
In addition to winning big, he also had a confidence about him that Doering believes Napier is missing.
“You got to win, be entertaining and have a swagger about you,” Doering said. “I think a lot of fans question his laid-back temperament. Everybody knows I want Florida to win every single game, but I have to be objective with what’s going on. I don’t think anybody would say going 5-7 or 6-6 is acceptable.”
This is clearly a huge year for Billy Napier as he tries show that he is making progress in Gainesville. Spurrier and Doering speaking out only adds to the pressure Napier is under.