Buddy Martin Blog: 'The Name Is Napier. I'm Here To Represent As Head Coach Of The Florida Gators.'
Updated: Jul 22, 2022
'Know his daddy would be proud,' wrote Tony Barnhart, thinking along those same lines as me.
As Billy Napier stood there is his shiny royal blue suit and blazing orange tie, sporting that 1950s retro summer buzz cut, it must have felt like he’d just stuck the landing. Given his coaching heritage, he was accepting the mantle as Florida coach while simultaneously honoring his father.
It was a powerful connection. This was the moment he had prepared for all his life. Had Billy thought about it, he probably would have also mentioned his last name first – “Napier” -- as his father also taught him.
Clearly, though, Billy was thinking about his paternal hero, and could feel his spiritual presence. Gagging just a bit, eyes glistening as a reporter asked him about Bill Napier Sr., remarking jovially: “Y’all are trying to get me.”
Today, just about 24 hours ahead of his 43rd birthday, Napier was a walk-on. He walked on to the center stage of the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta Wednesday in his light brown dress shoes and planted them firmly in the middle of the SEC footprint as Florida’s 29th head football coach. He was there to “represent,” just as his father had taught him.
Atlanta was not new territory, even though Gainesville is.
He flashed on the memory of his dad dropping him off in the ATL.
“I grew up two hours north of here,” he said. “Anytime my dad would drop me off, he would always ask us what our name was. We’d say our last name. We’d represent …”
There was a little hitch in his voice and perhaps a hint of moisture in his eye as the new Gator coach addressed other questions about his late father, Billy’s acknowledged idol.
His dad was a career high school coach who spent his last 26 years at Murray County High in Chatsworth – the last few in a wheelchair – before dying of ALS in September 2017. At the time Billy was an assistant at Arizona State. He coached practice that day in Tempe. Five years and three months later Bill Napier’s son was named Florida’s 29th head football coach.
As he spoke in Atlanta, I thought about some of the things we’ve read and heard about Coach Napier of Murray High and the inspirational way he finished up.
In his first press conference after being hired at Florida, Billy had spoken of his father’s impact, how his courage had inspired him to become a better coach, better husband, better father.
“My dad died from ALS, right? I think that his ability to handle and manage that with impeccable character. He didn’t flinch,” Napier said. “The impressive thing was that his foundation was his faith, so the example he set for not only me – heck, he inspired a lot of people – I think that changed my approach.”
One report in particular in David Whitley’s column in the Gainesville Sun resonated with me:
“Bill relied on a golf cart to get around practice. As his condition deteriorated, he’d call plays from a wheelchair. He established a scholarship endowment that helped Murray County athletes go to college.
“When Bill became too weak to coach, he’d still sent out a group text message — inspirational sayings or Bible verses — to about 400 people every day.
“One message he’d always preach was, ‘Go out there and represent.’”
“Represent.” And that’s what his oldest son was doing Wednesday in the triumphant-but-sad moment for the 42-year-old, Tennessee-born, Georgia-raised former Furman quarterback. He must have felt like weeping tears of joy while wanting to spike the ball right in the middle of the SEC logo next to “It Means More.”
Right then, nothing could have meant more to a guy who already oozed with gratitude about everything these days, spreading joy like Johnny Appleseed.
When he talks about the pride of being the head coach of the Florida Gators, it sounds and feels authentic. Unlike others who might have served at UF in the past, some giving the impression they wanted to grab a buyout check and catch the first thing smokin’ out of Hogtown.
From that standpoint, Billy Napier’s first official act at Florida was a success. So it’s 1-0, right?
I texted a few media friends attending in Atlanta and asked them to give me a half dozen words of their reaction to Napier’s introductory performance:
“Know his daddy would be proud,” wrote Tony Barnhart, thinking along those same lines as me.
“Calm, cool and very smart start,” texted Paul Finebaum.
“Nick Saban’s mini me,” wrote Matt Moscona of ESPN Baton Rouge/New Orleans.
“Business as usual on center stage,” said Scott Carter of FloridaGators.com.
Let me be clear: Winning the press conference at SEC Media Days is not going to make you Coach of the Year or give you a new contract.
It does set the tone, however, for the season’s launch. And in this case, with the almost all-brand new approach and a massive “army” of helpers, the mental outlook is critical. Especially with a promising young quarterback who appears to be on track to improving and maturing.
Anthony Richardson was one of three Gators tagging along for media days, looking sartorially splendid along with teammates Ventrell Miller and Richard Gouraige. “I ordered it from Amazon,” the man formerly known as AR-15 told the press about his suit.
In addition to dropping the assault rifle moniker, AR-2022 (whatever number works?) also explained that he no longer was driving that speedy Dodge Charger that ran away with him at 130 mph one morning and got him busted for speeding. He’s traded it in for a more docile Toyota.
Looks like Napier has been effective at coaching his star players off the field. Now let’s see what kind of results he can get ON the field. That’s where he really needs to “represent.”
All I hear is no defensive line talent this year. Can't stop the run in the SEC, very long days. If they are better, strength coach and coaching. Florida football down because of coaching hires by Jeremy and Mr. Strickland. Napier has ability to make this hire look great. Hope so.