Gators icon Steve Spurrier returned to UF as "The Ambassador" 10 years ago this month. (UAA file photo)
Carter's Corner: Talkin' Season Has Arrived, Cags in HR Derby
Thursday, July 9, 2026 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the return of Steve Spurrier as "The Ambassador." The 81-year-old Spurrier, known more as "The HBC" to college football fans, is still making the rounds, taking a turn in the spotlight recently at one of the Morgan Wallen concerts at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
As we shuffle through the hot days until another season starts, one of Spurrier's most famous quotes often comes to mind when the annual media days crank up to fill the void on the calendar. Most of you know it well. While the phrase "talking season" had been uttered prior to Spurrier's reign as Head Gator in the 1990s, he took it mainstream to remind folks that preseason hype never won a game or championship.
With the backdrop in place, talking season officially opened this week at the Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas. My X timeline was filled with items on former Gators quarterback DJ Lagway, who transferred to Baylor. If that wasn't enough, former UF coach Billy Napier zipped across the social media universe on Wednesday courtesy of a quote that probably caused a few Gators fans to say something their momma might not approve of.
In an interview with On3.com, Napier addressed his refusal to hire an offensive coordinator to help him with the workload at Florida.
"I think that I probably was a little stubborn," Napier said as he prepares for his first season at James Madison.
Raise your hand if you agree. OK, that's what I thought.
The reaction online was as predictable as Napier's offense. Longtime Gators chronicler Buddy Martin wrote a pointed column that likely echoes the sentiment of many of Florida loyalists.
His final sentence: Enjoy Harrisonburg, Billy. I hear the leaves are pretty in the fall.
Since we started this with Spurrier, we'll stop by for another visit with the HBC.
On Jan. 3, 2002, at his press conference to announce he was stepping down after 12 seasons as Florida's head coach, Spurrier addressed why he was leaving.
"I want to be able to walk out of here. I don't want to have to run out," he said. "Have you looked at the coaching history at the University of Florida? This job has chewed up and spit out about every coach it's had over the last 75 years. I don't want to be chewed up and spit out."
He wasn't. The same can't be said for Napier.
For now, a few links that prove talking season is here, starting with Baylor coach Dave Aranda discussing Lagway's rebirth …
Caglianone will showcase his power at the Home Run Derby on Monday in Philadelphia. Caglianone's home runs have averaged 418 feet, tied with Colorado's Mickey Moniack for tops in the big leagues for players with 10 or more homers …
As we shuffle through the hot days until another season starts, one of Spurrier's most famous quotes often comes to mind when the annual media days crank up to fill the void on the calendar. Most of you know it well. While the phrase "talking season" had been uttered prior to Spurrier's reign as Head Gator in the 1990s, he took it mainstream to remind folks that preseason hype never won a game or championship.
Tampa will mark the 10th SEC Media Days appearance for Kirby Smart. Only 11 others in history have 10 appearances or more (Spurrier, Saban, Fulmer, Richt, Nutt, Tuberville, Sherrill, Miles, Mullen, Stoops, Curry). Smart is currently tied with Brewer and DiNardo.
— Chuck Dunlap 🏈 (@SEC_Chuck) July 9, 2026
With the backdrop in place, talking season officially opened this week at the Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas. My X timeline was filled with items on former Gators quarterback DJ Lagway, who transferred to Baylor. If that wasn't enough, former UF coach Billy Napier zipped across the social media universe on Wednesday courtesy of a quote that probably caused a few Gators fans to say something their momma might not approve of.
In an interview with On3.com, Napier addressed his refusal to hire an offensive coordinator to help him with the workload at Florida.
"I think that I probably was a little stubborn," Napier said as he prepares for his first season at James Madison.
Raise your hand if you agree. OK, that's what I thought.
The reaction online was as predictable as Napier's offense. Longtime Gators chronicler Buddy Martin wrote a pointed column that likely echoes the sentiment of many of Florida loyalists.
His final sentence: Enjoy Harrisonburg, Billy. I hear the leaves are pretty in the fall.
Since we started this with Spurrier, we'll stop by for another visit with the HBC.
On Jan. 3, 2002, at his press conference to announce he was stepping down after 12 seasons as Florida's head coach, Spurrier addressed why he was leaving.
"I want to be able to walk out of here. I don't want to have to run out," he said. "Have you looked at the coaching history at the University of Florida? This job has chewed up and spit out about every coach it's had over the last 75 years. I don't want to be chewed up and spit out."
He wasn't. The same can't be said for Napier.
TALKING SEASON
Talking season peaks in the Southeastern Conference starting July 20 when the league holds its annual SEC Media Days in Tampa for the first time. First-year Gators coach Jon Sumrall and select players will appear on July 22.For now, a few links that prove talking season is here, starting with Baylor coach Dave Aranda discussing Lagway's rebirth …
NEW: Baylor's Dave Aranda says QB DJ Lagway's experience at Florida was like wearing a "straight jacket":
— On3 (@On3) July 8, 2026
"Someone that is just all boxed in and boxed up and just wanted to be free, express himself, play free. And I think he's felt that at Baylor."https://t.co/Ei0J3bN5m2 pic.twitter.com/xJI9QE8gRL
READING COVERAGE
- Spurrier may be retired, but he is still talking and addressed a quote attributed to him for more than 25 years that he called a "freaking lie" on former Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley's podcast via Yahoo! Sports.
- Lists are popular during talking season and ESPN.com ranks its 10 best college football coaches entering the 2026 season.
- Cam Parker of SI.com takes a look at how the NCAA's new eligibility rules impact Florida's current roster.
TOPICAL TWEET
The MLB All-Star Game is Tuesday and former Gators slugger Jac Caglianone, in his second season with the Royals, has started to hit the sort of tape-measure home runs that UF fans saw regularly at Condron Ballpark.Caglianone will showcase his power at the Home Run Derby on Monday in Philadelphia. Caglianone's home runs have averaged 418 feet, tied with Colorado's Mickey Moniack for tops in the big leagues for players with 10 or more homers …
Jac Caglianone is built for the @TMobile #HRDerby 😤
— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2026
In college he hit a 516-foot home run that cleared the scoreboard!
Via @GatorsBB pic.twitter.com/3Pu30HdfT7
Players Mentioned
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