Everything Billy Gonzales said on the SEC teleconference for Tennessee week

Each week the SEC holds a teleconference for all 16 head coaches in the league. Florida’s Billy Gonzales took his turn Wednesday to discuss his interim role, prep for this week’s game and more.

Here’s everything Gonzales said on the SEC Teleconference.

Billy Gonzales Q&A

Opening statement: 

BILLY GONZALES: “It’s our first home game since Oct. 18, we’re ready to get back home to The Swamp in front of our great fans. We’re definitely gonna need them this weekend versus a great Tennessee team that’s ranked 20th in the CFP. So far we’ve had a really good week out on the practice field and we’re looking forward to getting back out there today and continuing that process.”

On the most important thing to do as an interim coach:

BILLY GONZALES: “Well, I think just continue to be honest and trustworthy with these players. Be very transparent with them, continue to be honest, continue to coach them hard. You know, in my opinion, nothing has really changed. All that’s really happened is instead of coaching wide receivers, instead of coaching a room of 17 to 18, is that you’ve just added a larger number. And I think that any coach is going to tell you that they want the best for their players, but they’re going to push them extremely hard, they’re going to continue to coach them, correct them, and continue to motivate them. The biggest thing that I say you’re trying not to do is complacency, and understand — and I don’t think that’s been an issue here. We talk about our players continuing to fight and why they’re playing. They’re playing for honor, courage and commitment. Honor, being able to take accountability for their actions; courage, meeting the standards at the University of Florida; and then commitment, they’re committed to their brothers on this football team and they’re committed to the University of Florida to go out and play the best that they can possibly play.”

On how Gonzales deals with the uncertainty of what’s going to happen next:

BILLY GONZALES: “I’ve told the players don’t look back at the past and don’t look forward for the future. Be present where we’re at right now and every day we go out on the football field is an opportunity to get better and compete.”

On leaning on his past experiences in rivalry games for this week: 

BILLY GONZALES: “One of the unique things we have this weekend is we have the Saluting Those Who Serve game. The purpose of this game is to honor and show appreciation for our military personnel, our veterans, and our first responders. And it’s our opportunity to thank and celebrate the sacrifices of those who have served. And each day at practice, we’ve been blessed to have some guest speakers that have been part of the military come speak to the team. And one of the big things that they talk about is competition and the competitive spirit. Again, I just said, the honor, the courage and the commitment piece to it. That all plays a big part with Coach Meyer. I think if you take a look at how he had his teams ready to compete at a high level. It’s no different with our players right now. We’ve talked about our players, continue to prepare. We’re going to continue to work hard on the football field. But it’s a great opportunity for us to honor Coach Meyer and the opportunity of being elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. There’ll be Jemalle Cornelius, who’s a former captain on one of those teams, he’ll be Mr. Two Bits for us out there before the game. But the focus is still on our football team to go out there and compete at a high level.”

On the impact of Jayden Woods: 

BILLY GONZALES: “As you continue to get reps throughout the season, you’re gonna continue to get better. Obviously, you’re going against great competition every day at practice, it sets the stage for him to go against great competition out on the football field whenever we’re playing an SEC opponent. He’s done a fantastic job. He’s only getting better. He’s learning the little techniques that coach Mike Peterson does an incredible job as far as mentoring him. He’s an explosive, explosive, explosive athlete. And I think that’s probably one of the unique things when you start talking about some of his traits. He plays at a high level, his energy level is extremely high and the will to compete is at a high level as well.” 

On if he’s had a conversation with the team about Tennessee’s last win in the Swamp in 2003:

BILLY GONZALES: “I have not, but I’m aware of it, obviously. We’re preparing no different—this is an extremely, extremely talented team that we’re getting ready to play. You’re talking about going against Joey Aguilar. He’s a complete player. He distributes the ball extremely well, closing in on 3,000 passing yards. Offensively, seventh in the nation in passing yards, seventh in the nation in yards per game, seventh in the nation in total offense. Defensively, second in the nation with six defensive touchdowns, fourth in fumbles recovered, fourth in sacks. So, we’re preparing for an extremely tough team this week. We know, obviously, what the past has been. Each year, it’s a different team, and we gotta prepare for the different team we’re about to play, which is a very talented team.”

On parity in the SEC:

BILLY GONZALES: “Well, I think the parity is there across the board. I think the one thing that you realize is, I don’t know if the depth at each position is as deep as it was back in the early 2000s, just base off transfer portal and NIL and all the other opportunities that players have right now. But, when you start talking about the starting 22 and their immediate backups, the players are extremely talent across the board in this conference, and the parity has definitely risen.”