Gators head coach Billy Napier on the sideline with assistants Corey Raymond, orange hat, and Sean Spencer, blue hat, last season. (File photo/Tim Casey)
Carter's Corner: Offseason Changes Start for Gators, Fred Taylor's HOF Bid & More
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As Gators head coach Billy Napier put the first half of the season to bed following a win over Vanderbilt, he discussed how there was much room to improve heading into a road game at South Carolina to kick off the season's second half.
"You've got to get uncomfortable. It's going to be harder than you thought it was going to be,'' Napier said Oct. 9. "There's going to be some uncomfortable days."
The Gators responded with a comeback win against the Gamecocks, but that turned out to be their final victory of the season. Florida lost its last five games to finish 5-7, leading to the kind of uncomfortable day on Monday that Napier had hoped to avoid.
The Orlando Sentinel was the first to report the departures of defensive line coach Sean Spencer and secondary coach Corey Raymond, the first notable changes for the Gators since their 24-15 loss at home to Florida State on Saturday night.
Both veteran coaches were hired as part of Napier's inaugural UF staff and arrived with much fanfare. Raymond served as assistant head coach on defense and as cornerbacks coach, while Spencer had the title of co-defensive coordinator after coming to UF from the New York Giants.
The Gators hired defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong following the departure of former safeties/co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney after last season. As the defensive staff evolves under Armstrong's direction, outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson and inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman are the only remaining members from Napier's original defensive staff.
Meanwhile, with the transfer portal set to open for business next week and the coaching carousel spinning full-speed, expect other changes in the coming weeks.
Two UF players — tight end Jonathan Odom and kicker Adam Mihalek — have announced they plan to seek other opportunities via the portal.
Here are some posts covering the Gators on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, in case you missed them:
TOPICAL TWEETS
Odom appeared in 25 games over four seasons at Florida, catching 16 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns …
Mihalek was UF's starting kicker until losing the job to Trey Smack earlier in the season. He appeared in 17 games the past two seasons, making 15 of 24 field goals and 46 of 48 PATs …
Former Gators and NFL running back Fred Taylor is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame …
Gators defensive lineman Cam Jackson has some postseason offers to consider …
Former Gators quarterback Shane Matthews will be at the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta on Saturday to be honored as part of this year's SEC Legends Class …
"You've got to get uncomfortable. It's going to be harder than you thought it was going to be,'' Napier said Oct. 9. "There's going to be some uncomfortable days."
The Gators responded with a comeback win against the Gamecocks, but that turned out to be their final victory of the season. Florida lost its last five games to finish 5-7, leading to the kind of uncomfortable day on Monday that Napier had hoped to avoid.
The Orlando Sentinel was the first to report the departures of defensive line coach Sean Spencer and secondary coach Corey Raymond, the first notable changes for the Gators since their 24-15 loss at home to Florida State on Saturday night.
Both veteran coaches were hired as part of Napier's inaugural UF staff and arrived with much fanfare. Raymond served as assistant head coach on defense and as cornerbacks coach, while Spencer had the title of co-defensive coordinator after coming to UF from the New York Giants.
The Gators hired defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong following the departure of former safeties/co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney after last season. As the defensive staff evolves under Armstrong's direction, outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson and inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman are the only remaining members from Napier's original defensive staff.
Meanwhile, with the transfer portal set to open for business next week and the coaching carousel spinning full-speed, expect other changes in the coming weeks.
Two UF players — tight end Jonathan Odom and kicker Adam Mihalek — have announced they plan to seek other opportunities via the portal.
Here are some posts covering the Gators on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, in case you missed them:
Odom appeared in 25 games over four seasons at Florida, catching 16 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns …
Forever grateful ❤️ #AMDG pic.twitter.com/Z6YWdFeSka
— Jonathan Odom (@Odom_87) November 26, 2023
Mihalek was UF's starting kicker until losing the job to Trey Smack earlier in the season. He appeared in 17 games the past two seasons, making 15 of 24 field goals and 46 of 48 PATs …
— Adam Mihalek (@MihalekAdam) November 26, 2023
Former Gators and NFL running back Fred Taylor is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame …
Fred Taylor is already part of the University of Florida's Athletic Hall of Fame and the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame.
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 28, 2023
Taylor is now a Semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. pic.twitter.com/avfB6QaaHp
Gators defensive lineman Cam Jackson has some postseason offers to consider …
Blessed 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/tEra8h5Xex
— Cam Jackson (@CamJackson72) November 27, 2023
Former Gators quarterback Shane Matthews will be at the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta on Saturday to be honored as part of this year's SEC Legends Class …
Huge shout-out to @SMniner for being recognized as an SECLegend during the first quarter. A huge part of our gator radio broadcast team alongside @SeanKelleyLive, @JeffCardozoUF and myself. Well deserved brother! Photo credit @GatorsFB 🐊🐊🐊 pic.twitter.com/W6UrR3LmqM
— Tate Casey (@TateCasey84) November 26, 2023
Players Mentioned
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