Billy Napier at SEC Media Days 2024: 3 interesting things Florida HC said at Dallas event

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier made his SEC Media Days 2024 appearance on Wednesday. This will be his third season with the Gators, with a combined record of 51-26 over the last two seasons.

Napier is one of the most popular coaches on the hot seat ahead of the 2024 season. His time addressing the media highlighted his expectations for the upcoming season.

Here is a look at three interesting things that Napier said on Wednesday during the SEC Media Days 2024 event in Dallas, TX.

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3 interesting things Billy Napier said during SEC Media Days 2024

NCAA Football: SEC Media Day [IMAGN]

#1 "Don't believe the hype"

Competing in the loaded Southeastern Conference is a challenge for any team. But the Gators won't catch any kind of break this season with the most difficult schedule in the country, according to ESPN's Football Power Index.

Napier fielded many questions from the media during SEC Media Days 2024, revolving around Florida's upcoming schedule.

"Look, the great thing about our schedule, we don't have to take this on as individuals. We get to do this as a team," Napier said. "I believe that the thing that I've learned and observed in this league, you have to have the ability to self-discipline to prepare the same way each week, regardless of the outcome."

He continued talking about what his message has been to the team regarding their preparation for each week, saying:

"Ignore the noise, don't believe the hype, erase the board, start over, and every person in that building has got to prepare the same way."

The Gators went 5-7 last season, including 3-5 against SEC opponents. They closed out their year with five straight losses and failed to make an appearance in a bowl game for the first time since 2017.

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#2 The Gators are 'on schedule to some degree'

With his future with Florida unclear, it's now or never for Napier to turn things around and turn Florida back into a winning program.

Napier took the stage at SEC Media Days 2024 and spoke about his expectations for his team this season.

"Change doesn't happen overnight. I think ultimately timing is everything. When we took the job, what we inherited, the work that needed to be done, I think we’re on schedule to some degree."

He continued to speak about the progress of the team since he took over the head coaching job in 2022.

"The reality is, I think from a system standpoint, a process standpoint, in-house, the culture, I think we’ve made tremendous progress. And I think this offseason in particular, after observing things for two years, we’ve made some changes that really made a difference."

Napier has an overall record of 11-14 during his two seasons with Florida, with one bowl game appearance in 2022, which resulted in a loss.

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#3 Status of Cormani McClain

A major addition to the Gators roster ahead of the upcoming season is Colorado transfer Cormani McClain.

McClain was a former five-star recruit who appeared in nine games for the Buffaloes last season and recorded 13 total tackles and two pass breakups.

A post on X claimed that McClain was no longer on the Gators' roster, but the news has since been negated by members of the Florida coaching staff.

When Napier was asked about the status of McClain during SEC Media Days 2024, he further cleared the air on the status of the star defensive back.

"I think a lot of this gets blown out of proportion," Napier said. "He's a young player. Obviously, we're well aware of his history. He's a local kid from Lakeland and he's got relationships with players on our team. We run a tight ship. There's discipline, there's routine, there's accountability. It's hard these days.

"The guy's had a great week so far this week. He's gained 10 pounds and I think he's learning expectations, he's learning the culture."

On3's Nick De La Torre originally reported that McClain had been showing up late consistently or been a no-show to multiple mandatory team events such as lifts and meetings. The team has a strike system that includes warnings and extra required work, but McClain continued to show up late.

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What do you think is the most interesting thing that Billy Napier said during SEC Media Days 2024? Let us know in the comments.