Florida hires Billy Napier as next head coach: A look into his uniform approach
What can Florida Gators fans expect to see uniform-wise from Billy Napier?
The Florida Gators have officially hired Billy Napier as their next head coach. The hire comes after the Gators fired Dan Mullen after a 2–9 record against P5 opponents dating back to the 2020 season. Napier will come over from the University of Louisiana where he compiled an impressive 39–12 record with a highly regarded reputation in recruiting and program building. The change at the helm for Florida will also mark a new era of how the Gators will look visually: every Gators head coach has brought a new approach to uniforms and Billy Napier will be no different.
Napier’s time at Louisiana was marked with an extremely conservative and traditional approach to uniforms. Upon his hiring in 2018, he instituted only 2 changes: permanent metallic facemasks and only 2 standard uniforms; red/red/red for home games and red/white/white for away games. This was a complete 180 from the previous regime which saw a mix and match of 3 helmets, 3 pants, and 3 jerseys. In fact, Napier was so traditional at UL that they only wore 4 (!!) different uniforms in 4 years.
I spoke with the Ragin Review Podcast, a trusted source on UL football who reported the Napier hire two weeks ago, to get a deeper look at how Napier approaches uniforms: “I don’t think he cares all that much about it” said Ragin Review. “Usually we’ll see something to honor the military and typically he’ll let the players choose one game to wear black (the alternate uniform). Billy is a traditionalist”. This is no surprise, as Napier is a Nick Saban disciple.
This may be tough to hear for Gator Nation, as Dan Mullen’s traditional uniform approach in year 1 left much to be desired. That was quickly rectified as the Mullen era progressed, with a multitude of changes and new additions:
- Return of the 1960’s throwbacks
- Brought back blue helmets with throwbacks
- Fixed white helmets with the master stripe
- New, permanent blue helmet
- White at home for the first time in 20 years
- All-white with patriotic script Gators helmet
- Interlocking UF throwback helmets
- Brought back all-orange uniform combo
However, there is one uniform that Dan Mullen promised early in his tenure but unfortunately never came to fruition: black uniforms.
Black uniforms were a popular subject amongst fans, with multiple statements and rumors floating around that they were happening at any second. Ultimately, they were never going to happen. But, that doesn’t mean Napier can’t do it. EDIT: As of March 14, 2022, Billy Napier has said “We’re going to wear black uniforms at the University of Florida.”
The one and only new uniform Napier brought to UL? New black uniforms. After wearing older all-black uniforms for Salute to Service games, Louisiana got new ones prior to the 2020 season.
With Scott Stricklin still at the helm as Athletic Director, I expect the Gators uniforms to continue to be elite but it will take some time. Stricklin was actually the mastermind behind the Mullen era uniform changes so a similar approach is likely with Napier: traditional in year 1 and 2, with more variety added as the on-field results progress to excellence.
Further, the beginning of the Napier era at Florida may coincide with a massive change for the Gators uniforms: it is widely expected that major P5 programs will be moving to the Nike Vapor FUSE uniform template next year (this is what Oregon currently wears), including Florida. Florida has been on the Vapor Untouchable since the 2017 season and the normal 4 year template cycle was supposed to be up prior to this season, but is now expected for next season. The change to the FUSE template opens the door for any and all uniform changes…
which means fixed orange uniforms and the old, block number font is on the table ;)
The Napier era begins now and with it comes expectations to bring sustained success to Florida. It remains to be seen what his impact will be, but one thing is for sure: get ready for a new dosage of uniform approach.
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