In the past couple of seasons, Florida’s head coach, Billy Napier, found himself under immense pressure to deliver results. At the helm for his first two seasons, the Gators put up an 11-14 record. By mid-November 2024, their record was sitting at 4-5, leaving many in Gainesville questioning whether Napier’s tenure would last, especially when they saw Mario Cristobal making swift improvements with the Miami team.
Out of seemingly nowhere, the Gators started to rally. In a stunning turn of events, they clinched victories against heavy hitters like No. 22 LSU, No. 9 Ole Miss, and their fierce rivals, Florida State, wrapping up the season on a high note with three consecutive wins. They didn’t stop there, cruising past Tulane in a bowl game with a convincing 33-8 scoreline.
2024 certainly concluded on a high for Florida, showcasing undeniable prowess. Reflecting on this turnaround, second-year quarterback DJ Lagway shared insights on the “Outta Pocket” Podcast with college football icon Robert Griffin III. Lagway revealed that the team’s resurgence was driven by what they felt was widespread disrespect towards both the players and Napier throughout the season.
“You could definitely say it was a big motivator when we felt our coach and our team were being undervalued,” Lagway remarked (via 247Sports). “We had to go out there and prove our mettle. Sure, the season was fraught with challenges, ups and downs, but by the end, everything clicked for us. We’re hoping to carry that momentum into the 2025 season.”
