‘The Plan’, Lies, and Videotape
With deference to the great James Spader, I paraphrased the movie title, as it encapsulates the complete teardown of the Florida football program by Billy Napier.
‘The Plan’:
There is no plan. There never really was. Napier has had 42 games, and unfortunately has proven incapable of executing one – less executing the Florida brand. It all came crashing down in the latest embarrassment at Miami. His stubbornness/hubris/whatever you wish to call it in believing he could design an offense for 2025, let alone beyond 1965, has been laid bare. He has broken DJ Lagway. He’s practically broken Gator Nation. His passing offense is beyond horrific – you almost have to try to be that bad. The entire support ‘Army’, the alleged toxic locker room he inherited, and his vision of ‘building’ a program are all part of the Grand Illusion that duped weak leadership, including the AD and the UAA. His ‘program’ is adrift and directionless. The fault lies with all of them. The only “culture” he’s built is a losing one.
Lies:
“I’m going to hire an Offensive Coordinator.”
“We’re only 10 plays from being 3-0”
“We’re going to look at the tape and get things fixed.”
“x injured player is getting close”
“This O-line is our best since we’ve been here.”
“Our WR room is dangerous.”
“DJ Lagway has had good ‘mental reps’ while not practicing” (WTF is that?!)
“I know what it takes to win.”
Multiple mind-numbing press conferences where he repeatedly states, “The ‘plan’ is sound – the players just need to execute it better”. NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HIS OWN LACK OF COACHING ACUMEN, AND THE INABILITY TO SEE/ADMIT/ADDRESS HIS REPEATED FAILURES.
SPOT THE BALL! RIGHT?!
Videotape:
– A 20-22 record
– Repeated slow starts and painfully obvious lack of preparation
– 2.7 yards per pass attempt against Miami – unacceptable
– 0-13 on 3rd down
– 141 yards of total offense, 82 of which came on the lone scoring drive in the 3rd quarter
– A passing ‘shrub’ that insults shrubs
– Failing his players with a lack of adjustments, and – more to the point – by not removing the headset and recusing himself from anything to do with calling plays
– A stunning lack of imagination that allows opponents to essentially ‘know’ what’s coming and when
– A complete and repeated lack of awareness and in-game management
– No juice or energy on the sideline
– Continued embarrassing losses
I feel so bad for players like Jaden Baugh, VB3, Jake Slaughter, Caleb Banks, Myles Graham, Aaron Chiles, and Cormani McClain……guys that are really SEC studs. And there are maybe another 20 or so that are solid contributors. But that’s about it. This roster was allegedly ready to win big. But there’s still a dearth of quality depth. And it wouldn’t matter anyway – Rural Meyer would waste anything he was given. He’s a black cloud over the program, and reminds me of Pigpen from the ‘Peanuts” comic strip……dirty face, with a cloud of dirt (losing) following him everywhere that NOTHING can get rid of.
And now the injuries mount. Lagway back in a boot. Dijon Johnson out for the year with a meniscus tear in his knee. Brendon Bett with a knee injury that didn’t look good. Aaron Gates with some sort of arm or shoulder injury (the staff will use the dumb ‘upper-body injury’ descriptor – they think they’re so clever). And I’m sure we’ll get the usual “he’s getting close” from Napier about Dallas Wilson (who I would understand if he chooses to never play in this offense and possibly transfers out).
The defense played admirably for 50 minutes against the Hurricanes, until the weight of Napier’s ineptitude finally caused them to cave in. There’s only so long you can hold up when you’re getting physically and mentally beaten down. But let’s get real here. It’s very possible there will be more “injuries” from here on out, as guys physically and mentally start to check out as the season circles the drain. The players aren’t dumb. The defensive guys will start to chirp at the offense as it continues to suck, and the locker room will fracture. This happens all over the country in similar circumstances, and Florida is no different.
There’s nothing left to defend. The few left in Napier Nation will continue to insult anyone critical of him, and blindly follow him off the cliff. They will complain about the lack of positivity, scream to the heavens about how his players like him, and provide ZERO substantive rationale to keep him on as the head coach. This behavior is the definition of “cult-like” – the followers of Jim Jones or the Branch Davidians have nothing on the Napier acolytes. ANYONE with objectiveness and professionalism has already recognized it’s long past due to end this disastrous run. Since Scott Stricklin, the UAA, and certain specific Trustees are ‘culturally aligned’ with Napier, they will be the last to admit defeat and allow it to continue for at least 3 more games, praying that things will change……they won’t. Their level of desperation is unprofessional and unconscionable. Even the game announcers recently are openly critical and dismissive of the terrible offense they are seeing. I wish Steve Spurrier wasn’t an “Ambassador for the program” and could really say out loud what he’s thinking.
Is Billy Napier a good person? Seems so – no personal indiscretions I’ve heard of.
Does he treat people well? Seems that way – even when failing them professionally. Seems like a solid family man. His players seem to like him personally.
That’s all good.
But none of that matters compared to the (lack of) results he’s being overpaid massively to produce. And the lack of accountability and self-awareness are not ‘good’ traits.
Am I happy to write an article like this? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Have I turned negative towards Napier’s coaching and the results everyone is suffering through? ABSOLUTELY. I’ve seen more than enough the past 42 games……actually, much earlier than that.
It’s time to move on. It’s OK, coach. You and your supporters just need to let it go. You failed by any measure there is.
It’s all over but the shouting, now. Napier should do the right thing, admit defeat, and resign to forego the ugly specter of being fired. Give these players and coaches a better chance of making something positive out of the rest of the 2025 season. Give Gator Nation another chance to try and reset and move on to better results going forward. That’s an incredibly low bar at this point, so I’ll say give Gator Nation the hope of someday competing for championships again and having fun watching a winning product.
Go Gators!