Florida coach Billy Napier appeared at a post-game press conference after a disappointing defeat against South Florida, where the Gators fell 18-16 due to several mistakes including penalties, poor red-zone execution, and difficulties on offense. Napier pointedly stated:

“Not good enough, and it’s my responsibility.”

The loss puts additional pressure on Napier, now holding a record of 20-20 in his fourth season. Just a week prior, Florida had been impressive in a 55-0 win over Long Island, but against USF, they struggled with mistakes and missed opportunities, causing frustration among fans expecting progress from the prior 8-5 season.

Napier expressed his accountability for the team’s performance, mentioning continuous issues with penalties and poor execution, acknowledging that ultimately, the responsibility falls upon him and his coaching staff. He added:

“We had over 100 yards in penalties. It extended their drives and it slowed down our drives.”

As the team faces a tough schedule ahead, including ranked opponents, Napier’s focus is on addressing the fundamental issues affecting the team’s performance. He concluded the press conference with an optimistic outlook, saying:

“We can coach better. We can play better.”

Opening Statements

Napier began by addressing the team’s shortcomings in the red zone and the costly penalties, urging for improvement in discipline and execution moving forward. He also remarked:

“If you play football like that, you’re going to be criticized. It comes with the territory.”

In the press conference, he tackled topics like accountability, the challenge ahead, and reiterated his commitment to improving the team’s performance.