They might not seem like much to the Florida Gators, who have a nine-figure athletic budget.
One more member of Billy Napier’s army. Another piece of equipment.
However, if Napier’s team has a chance of reaching a bowl game and regaining credibility, the signings could prove to be two of the most crucial investments UF has made in recent years.
Joe Houston is a staff member whose title (senior GameChanger analyst) does not describe his work (assisting on special teams). The equipment is a launch pad, which allows kindergarteners to count to ten. You can get one online for less than $500.
They’re among the adjustments to the special teams gaffes that embarrassed the program last fall and put Napier’s job security in jeopardy as his third preseason camp begins Wednesday.
To be fair, special teams were not the Gators’ main issue in last season’s 5-7 loss. Statistically, they were strong. According to ESPN’s SP+ stats, Florida’s unit ranks eighth in the country. The Gators allowed only 15.1 yards per kickoff return, their best mark since 1985, and led the conference in net punting. Only four SEC teams have blocked more punts and kicks than the Gators (two).
Consider how good the Gators would have been if they had fielded 11 players every time — something they failed to do in at least four games last season.
Napier euphemistically labelled them “organisational issues.” You could call them blunders (or worse). Regardless, they were costly for reasons other than public criticism.
Florida was penalised in Utah for having two players wear No. 3 during a punt return. It was the difference between getting the ball back after a great third-down stop and being down 14-3.
Against Arkansas, misunderstanding over whether the punt or field goal team should enter resulted in a penalty and a missed kick. The Gators lost in overtime.
Remove either error, and Florida might have qualified for a bowl game. At the very least, the external perception of interior chaos would be less severe.
Napier, to his credit, addressed the issue.
“We needed another layer of expertise in the special teams area,” Napier explained Tuesday.
He added one in Houston. Napier hired him for his Louisiana staff, but he only stayed for one day before being hired by Bill Belichick’s Patriots. Napier brought him back this offseason.
Napier has lauded Houston’s attention to detail, including punting hang time. Houston mentioned another example on Tuesday: the launch pad. Consider it a less colourful Twister mat with 10 circles for players to stand in (the kicker/punter does not require one).
“It’s essentially a sideline huddle,” Houston added.
The Gators did not employ one last season. It showed.
Houston will also benefit from a new NCAA rule modification, which will help to eliminate miscommunications. Last year, experts like Houston and GameChanger coordinator Chris Couch could only train coaches, not players. That distinction complicated things like putting the right unit on the field after a third-down stop, especially since the Gators didn’t have a designated special-teams assistant previous season.
Because the NCAA eliminated the analyst regulation in June, Houston and Couch can now engage directly with athletes.
“Now the fact that those guys, the gloves come off and they’re on the grass and can give instruction on the pitch I think is going to be a huge advantage for us,” Napier told the media.
Even a slight advantage counts. The Gators were competitive in the final four games of last season (all defeats) and have spent the offseason underlining how close they were. This year’s margin for error will be much smaller due to the nation’s most difficult schedule.
“Football is a game played by humans that make mistakes, right?” Houston stated. “We just try to limit them as a coach.”
What if Houston is successful? Then he and his 10-circle pad could propel Florida back into respectability.
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