Florida interim coach Billy Gonzalez took questions from the media on Wednesday morning as part of the SEC Coaches Teleconference before the Gators host Tennessee in a rivalry game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Ahead of the game, Gonzalez discussed Tennessee’s high powered offense, honoring Urban Meyer this weekend and much more. Here’s everything Gonzalez said.
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Opening statement
“It’s our first home game since October 18th. We’re ready to get back home to The Swamp in front of our great fans. We’re definitely going to need them this weekend versus a great Tennessee team that’s ranked 20th in the CFP. So far, we’ve had a really good week out on the practice field, and we’re looking forward to getting back out there today and continuing that process.”
On the most important thing to do in the role of interim head coach
“Well, I think just continue to be honest and trustworthy with these players. Be very transparent with them, continue to be honest, continue to coach them hard. In my opinion, nothing has really changed. All that’s really happened is instead of coaching wide receivers, instead of a coach in a room of 17-18 (players), you’ve just added a larger number. And I think any coach is going to tell you that they want the best for their players, but they’re going to push them extremely hard. They’re going to continue to coach them, correct them, and continue to motivate them. The biggest thing that I say that you look for, trying not to do, is complacency. And understand, I don’t think that’s been an issue here. We talk about our players continuing to fight in why they’re playing. They’re playing for honor, courage, and commitment. Honor, being able to take accountability for their actions. Courage, meeting the standards at the University of Florida. And then commitment, they’re committed to their brothers on this football team and they’re committed to the University of Florida to go out and play the best they can possibly play.”
On how he addresses the uncertainty of what’s ahead at Florida
“No, I’ve told the players, don’t look back at the past, don’t look forward for the future. Be present where we’re at right now. And every day we go out on the practice field, it’s an opportunity for us to get better and compete.”
On Florida honoring Urban Meyer this weekend and closing the season with two rivalry games
“Sure. I think again, like I said, we’ve got one of the unique things we have this weekend, we have the saluting to those who serve game, which the purpose of this game is to honor and show appreciation for our military personnel, our veterans and our first responders. And it’s our opportunity to think and celebrate the sacrifices of those who have served. And each day at practice, we’ve been blessed to have some guest speakers that have been part of the military come speak to the team. One of the big things that they talk about is competition and the competitive spirit. Again, I just said that the honor, the courage and the commitment piece to it. That all plays a big part with Coach (Urban) Meyer. I think if you take a look at how he had his teams ready to compete at a high level, it’s no different with our players right now. We’ve talked about our players continue to prepare. We’re going to continue to work hard on the football field. But it’s a great opportunity for us to honor Coach Meyer in the opportunity of being elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. There’ll be Jamalle Cornelius, who’s a former captain on one of those teams, he’ll be Mr. Two Bits for us out there before the game, but the focus is still on our football team to go out there and compete at a high level.”
On the impact made by freshman edge rusher Jayden Woods
“Well, as you continue to get reps throughout the season, you’re going to continue to get better. Obviously, you’re going against great competition every day at practice, sets the stage for him to go against great competition out on the football field whenever we’re playing an SEC opponent. He’s done a fantastic job. He’s only getting better. He’s learning the little techniques that Coach Mike Peterson does an incredible job as far as mentoring him. He’s an explosive, explosive, explosive athlete. And I think that’s probably one of the unique things when you start talking about some of his traits. He plays at a high level, his energy levels extremely high. And then the will to compete is at a high level as well.”
On if he has the conversation with this Florida team about Tennessee not winning in Gainesville since 2003
“I have not, but I’m aware of it. Obviously we’re preparing no different. This is an extremely, extremely talented team that we’re getting ready to play. You’re talking about going against Joey Aguilar, who’s a complete player. He distributes the ball extremely well, closing in on 3,000 passing yards. Offensively, seventh in the nation in passing yards, seventh in the nation in yards per game, seventh in total offense. Defensively, second in the nation with six defensive touchdowns, fourth in fumbles recovered, fourth in sacks. So we’re preparing for an extremely tough team this week. We know obviously what the past has been, but each year it’s a different team and we’ve got to prepare for the team that we’re getting ready to play, which is a very talented team.”
On how much competitive depth there is in the SEC, the parity in the league
“Well, I think the parity is there across the board. I think the one thing that you realize is I don’t know if the depth at each position is as deep as it was back in the early 2000s, just based off of transfer portal and NIL and all the other opportunities that players have right now. But when you start talking about about the starting 22 and their immediate backups, I think the players are extremely talented across the board in this conference, and the parity has definitely risen.”
