Florida football coach Billy Napier said he’s pleased his players are watching Swamp Kings to learn more about the tradition of the program.
Napier said the four-part Netflix documentary that highlighted the highs and lows of the championship era under Urban Meyer from 2005-09 has resonated with coaches as well.
“The reason I’m standing here today because I really believe it can be done again,” Napier said. “And we’re going to do it here. This place is very capable.”
UF-Utah matchup: Florida football vs. No. 14 Utah: Scouting report, prediction
Players to watch: Five players to watch for Florida football in its matchup at No. 14 Utah
The Florida Gators won national championships under Meyer in 2006 and 2008. UF has two links to that era on its current coaching staff. Billy Gonzales, a wide receivers coach under Meyer from 2005-09, has returned to coach UF receivers again this this season. Former UF linebacker Brandon Spikes, who won national titles under Meyer in 2006 and 2008, also has returned as a student assistant coach.
Napier grew up admiring the Florida under Steve Spurrier in the 1990s and has made it a point to bring back former players to speak to his current team to teach them about UF’s football history.
“We have an administration that has conviction about athletics,” Napier said. “There’s a championship culture here within the athletic department. We happen to coach football, but football’s not the only thing around here that wins championships. We live it around here, we breath it. We’re tasked with getting the Gators back in the game of football where we all know that they can be.”
In bridging to the success of the Gators in the 1990s, Florida recently had All-American defensive lineman Kevin Carter (1991-94) speak to the team and has former UF All-American linebacker Mike Peterson (1995-98) on staff as…
..
