Tyrie Cleveland defends Billy Napier amid hot seat chatter: 'We're in good hands'

Former Florida wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland defended Billy Napier amid the hot seat chatter about the Gators’ coach. The team is currently 1-1 and now unranked through two weeks.

Napier is also 20-20 in three-plus seasons. After some good vibes to end 2024, that was quickly erased following an 18-16 loss to USF at home on Saturday. No. 3 LSU is this weekend, on the road no less, so there’s pressure and worry from the Florida faithful.

Cleveland chose to keep the faith instead and is being patient with Napier. He’s certainly more patient than others around Gainesville.

“Everybody keep saying fire Billy Napier but if people really knew how much it takes to turn a program around they wouldn’t say that at all,” Cleveland wrote on Twitter/X. “Some coaches blossom faster than others and that’s fine. Gator Nation we’re in good hands it’s all part of the process. TRUST THE PROCESS.”

Napier is ready to “double down” on what he, his staff and the administration have built. One thing’s for sure, there’s no quit in the Florida coach.

“I think specifically here,” Napier said. “Everything that’s been built here didn’t all of a sudden just disappear. Okay? We didn’t perform to the best of our ability. The ball didn’t bounce our way on a few things. But there’s been a ton of investment put into the people on our team within the organization. Those things do exist. If you’ve been doing this the right way, you’ve developed some intangibles to prepare for these types of moments.”

Napier first got to Florida in 2022, and, since then, the Gators have struggled to find consistent success. He entered the 2024 season on the hot seat, speaking of, because of it, but was able to coach his way out of that situation and earn a fourth season.

However, after dropping the USF game and losing it with what many consider poor clock management and a lack of discipline, has once again led to backlash against this coaching staff. He can change the narrative against a loaded schedule, but it’s a big ask.

“Sometimes the game gives you what you need. It gives you exactly what you need. I think teams, there’s a number of examples, this can galvanize your group. I think when adversity hits, you need to elevate. You definitely don’t need to shrink back. So, we’re going to double down on who we are,” Napier said. “And try to go play a brand of football that we all can be proud of.”