Carter's Corner: Pasqualoni On Move, NIL Chatter, More Gators Tidbits
Wednesday, February 9, 2022 | Football, Scott Carter
Paul Pasqualoni is seemingly always on the move, energy and stories bubbling from his 72-year-old frame.
Pasqualoni served as special assistant to former head coach Dan Mullen the past two seasons. When Mullen was dismissed in November, Pasqualoni moved into an on-field role for the final three games before being retained by Napier as director of advanced scouting and self-scout.
It appeared to be a win-win situation. Pasqualoni could continue working in the game he has devoted his life to, and the 42-year-old Napier had a wise voice in the building who has seen everything the game offers.
Most telling response of Q&A, imo, involved now departed Paul Pasqualoni. Veteran coach retained b/c, 'I'm always seeking out opinions. I want somebody that's different than me.'
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) February 8, 2022
Too many in authority seek 'yes men.' Not Billy Napier's approach. https://t.co/owTdCL9nhz
But the marriage was short-lived, as Tuesday evening the Carolina Panthers announced they had hired Pasqualoni to be their defensive line coach. Pasqualoni returns to the NFL for the first time since 2019 when he was defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
Pasqualoni is a coach's coach. After playing for Joe Paterno at Penn State, Pasqualoni returned to his hometown of Cheshire, Conn., to take an assistant coach's position at Cheshire High. That was 50 years ago. Pasqualoni's most notable stretch came during his 14 seasons as head coach at Syracuse, including a memorable win over the Gators in 1991 at the Carrier Dome.
Pasqualoni was inducted into the Syracuse Hall of Fame last fall and always had a good story to share the times we crossed paths. Good luck to Pasqualoni as he keeps on moving.
QUICK READS
-- You can't ice a kicker as cool at former Gator Evan McPherson writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
-- The Florida Legislature needs to pass a bill to even playing field for NIL writes David Whitley of the Gainesville Sun.
-- Gators head coach Billy Napier weighs in on 24/7 roster management, NIL direction writes Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel.
-- Former Gators OF and current big-leaguer Harrison Bader recently subbed as a PE teacher during the MLB lockout via CNN.
-- Former Gators standout swimmer Elizabeth Beisel is hosting a podcast 'In The Village' during the Winter Olympics from Beijing via Swimming World.
-- Gators offensive lineman Ethan White discusses the mental battle in dealing with injuries writes Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports.com.
TOPICAL TWITTER
Billy Napier played quarterback for his father, the late Bill Napier, at Murray County (Ga.) High in the 1990s. Kurt Napier, Billy's younger brother who later played QB at the school, is now the school's new head coach ...
There will be another Napier in charge of the Murray County High School football program.https://t.co/gXwtOoZlOv
— Dalton Daily Citizen Sports (@DCitizenSports) February 8, 2022
Napier returned home to North Georgia on Tuesday night as the featured speaker at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet; here is a clip of him speaking about his father's influence ...
Billy Napier on following his dad, Bill, into coaching. pic.twitter.com/P4KJDA06iM
— Daniel Mayes (@ByDanielMayes) February 9, 2022
Speaking of coaches named Napier, Billy and Kurt's brother, Matt Napier, is also a high school head coach in Georgia. Wonder what these guys talk about during family vacations ...
🐊𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙵𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝙲𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚃𝚘𝚠𝚗🐊
— ✭LᴀGʀᴀɴɢᴇ Hɪɢʜ Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ✭ (@BigBlueRecruits) January 27, 2022
Shout out to @coach_bnapier for stopping by today to check in on the 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀❕Even got to see his brother @MattNapier9 😎
✭Hᴀʀᴅ | Tᴏᴜɢʜ | Tᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ✭#ᴄᴜLᴛᴜʀᴇ #BLUEᴘʀɪɴᴛ #UFᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ #UFᴀᴍɪʟʏ pic.twitter.com/YtGNHD0hx3
Former Gators quarterbacks coach Garrick McGee reportedly has a new job ...
Source: #Purdue's new staff hires, including several former FBS head coaches.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) February 5, 2022
David Elson: Linebackers
Ryan Wallace: Tight ends/ assistant O-line
Ashton Youboty: Cornerbacks
Garrick McGee: Wide receivers
Neil Callaway: Senior Consultant
Former Gators assistant coach Corey Bell, who has worked at UF on two separate occasions, recently left to for an on-field role at FIU ...
Welcome to the 2022 FIU Football Staff 🌴
— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) January 31, 2022
➡️ CB Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Corey Bell 👏
🐾 Miami native and former head coach at Miami Edison HS and American Senior HS
🐾 Youngest HS head coach in Florida when he was hired in 1997 at age 25#PawsUp 🐾 | #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/Nblo96KNX7
Four Gators invited to participate in 2022 NFL Scouting Combine ...
Four Gators: DL Zach Carter, CB Kaiir Elam, LB Jeremiah Moon, RB Dameon Pierce https://t.co/kCJ1yMkUT3
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) February 9, 2022
