Football Season Is Over And It's Not Even October
“It’s time to get serious.”
That’s what Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway had to say after a 26–7 loss to Miami. And listen, I respect the speech. I respect the attempt at leadership. But here’s the problem… it came in week four. Week four. You mean to tell me it wasn’t serious after losing to USF? It wasn’t serious after LSU embarrassed us? It wasn’t serious the moment we slipped to 1–2 and already looked like a team with no direction? No, apparently it wasn’t serious until we got absolutely humiliated for the third week in a row and the season is already over. Now, all of a sudden, we’re supposed to get serious? That’s not leadership. That’s damage control.
And I’m not even putting this all on DJ. He’s a young quarterback still figuring it out. This problem is bigger than him. This is about culture. And culture starts at the very top with Billy Napier. Much like the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Gators have no culture. None. Whether it’s players throwing cleats that cost us games, guys spitting on opponents, or just folding the second things get tough, this team has no discipline and no respect for the program they represent. That’s not on the players, that’s on the head coach.
I’ve had enough. I wouldn’t wish the combination of Billy Napier and Mike McDaniel on my worst enemy. Watching the Gators and Dolphins every weekend feels like staring at two dead men walking. Two guys with talent at their disposal, but no clue how to lead, how to adjust, or how to get their teams to play disciplined football. It’s embarrassing. I wasn’t expecting either team to win a championship this year, but I sure as hell didn’t expect both seasons to be over before October.
I didn’t expect DJ Lagway and Tua Tagovailoa to combine for 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. I didn’t expect the Gators and Dolphins to combine for one win over seven games. And do you want to know the cherry on top? That one win came against Long Island University. The LIU Sharks. If it wasn’t for them, my football season would be completely winless. And honestly, I don’t even view that game as a real win. That was a make a wish win. That was a preseason scrimmage disguised as a regular season game.
The state of these teams is frightening. So much potential, so much talent, completely wasted by horrific coaching and nonexistent leadership. Billy and Mike might be good guys, but they are not cut out for these jobs. Every single week they remind us. Every week the fans rip their hair out. The undisciplined play, the laughable play calling, the insufferable postgame press conferences, it’s all run its course.
It’s time for a change. It’s been time for a change. But then again, both seasons are already over, so maybe it doesn’t even matter.
Because right now? Who gives a shit.