After Billy Napier’s firing Sunday, athletic director Scott Stricklin, interim head coach Billy Gonzales and sophomore leaders Myles Graham and DJ Lagway spoke about how the Florida football program will move forward without Napier.
Although Napier struggled with results, posting a 22-23 record as the Gators' head coach, he was consistently referred to by players as a great guy who kept the locker room.
Now that Gonzales has taken over Florida’s head coaching position for the remaining five games of the season, questions loom about the future of Florida’s top commits and possible transfers.
“The University of Florida matters to this group,” Stricklin said. “They chose the University of Florida. They wanted to be here. And they want to have the success that you expect to have when you come play for the University of Florida.”
Graham, a sophomore linebacker, was explicit in pledging his full commitment to Florida.
“No, man, I’m a Gator,” he said. “I'm just focused on rallying these guys for these last five games and just keep rolling.”
Graham’s father, Earnest, played for the Gators from 1998-2002. He also experienced a head coaching change during his collegiate career when legendary head coach Steve Spurrier resigned in 2002 and Ron Zook took over as head coach.
“We talked and we debriefed, and it wasn't easy on him either, and a coaching change isn't easy on anybody,” Graham said. “So he just told me to stay focused, stay disciplined. … Don't be worried about what's coming and what's next. Just be present.”
When Lagway was asked about his commitment to Florida beyond this season, he responded saying “I'm a Florida Gator.”
“My biggest focus right now is these five games and to continue to better my craft and continue to develop as a player,” he said.
Losing a coach midway through the season is a difficult hurdle to overcome, especially in today’s college landscape of Name Image and Likeness, but Stricklin expressed confidence in Gonzales.
Because of the new transfer portal rules that eliminate a winter portal and establish one 15-day portal beginning Jan. 2, the Gators will have additional time to navigate life after Napier before players choose if they want to leave.
“I don't really know all the rules, but it's just about me and my guys,” Lagway said. “That's what it's been about. And so it's gonna continue to be about, ‘How can we continue to get better as a group, as players, and just developing our craft.’"
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a third-year journalism-sports & media major who currently serves as the football beat reporter for The Alligator, now in his third semester with the paper. When not at his computer screen writing, Curan enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging with friends, family and pets, and watching the Patriots lose (no, he doesn't miss Brady).
