GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida football coach Billy Napier sounded more downtrodden than ever after losing to South Florida on Saturday.
He was clearly stunned, especially after spending months telling everyone around him how disciplined, dedicated and different these Gators seemed heading into his fourth season with the Southeastern Conference program.
Character. Camaraderie. Composure. Leadership. Talent. Napier felt he had something special in Gainesville.
Yet his 13th-ranked team melted down in nearly every way possible while losing 18-16 to the Bulls in the Swamp and putting the coach back on the proverbial hot seat.
No one should be surprised if that was Napier’s last game at Florida Field. After all, he dropped to 20-20 overall, including 14-7 at home, and has consecutive road games coming up against No. 3 LSU to open SEC play and No. 5 Miami of the Atlantic Coast Conference.