Coach Billy Napier is getting a lot of criticism after Florida's Week 1 loss to Utah. Photo Credit: Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures towards the sidelines during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

Former college football coach Urban Meyer knows a little bit about the pressure of coaching the Florida Gators football team. After all, he won two national titles coaching the team. And he’s got some advice for current Gators head coach Billy Napier.

During a recent appearance on the Buddy Martin Show, Urban Meyer got pretty brutally honest about the criticism Billy Napier has been receiving after failing to even make a bowl game in his second season.

“Billy Napier and his staff, is there pressure on him?” Meyer said according to On3. “[Heck] yeah there is, but that comes with the job. I would not panic if I’m the coaching staff.”

Meyer then explained what sort of advice he would give to Napier in this situation, suggesting that Napier needs to block out the outside noise and criticism but also hold his coaching staff and players to a high standard.

“And I would always tell myself that, but as I’m reminding myself that I would share with our team, saying, ‘I will help you go wherever you want to go if you don’t like this, this is too much for you,’” Meyer said. “‘If it’s too much for you I’ll sign your transfer papers right now and you can go. That includes our coaching staff. But as long as you’re here you’re expected to be the very best in the country at what you do. If that does not fit your job description, you can leave, and I’ll help you. That does not make you a bad person. Pay your taxes, be a good guy, but get out of here because this is what’s expected if you’re not the very best in the coaches at what you do.’”

We’ll have to see whether or not Napier can get the team turned around.

[On3]