Florida football: Austin Armstrong can change the Gators’ program

Florida football made a very quick decision when Patrick Toney left for the NFL when it came to their defensive coordinator, hiring Austin Armstrong almost immediately after Toney’s decision to leave.

And to this point, it seems that the decision was a good one to bring Armstrong in.

Armstrong was talking to some people in the practice facility a few days ago and had some things to say about the way he’s coaching the players during spring practices.

He’s pushing his guys to play more carefree and not treat practices like something that they have to do, but something that they get to do.

"A lot of these kids now they have anxiety because they’re highly talented, my thing is ‘quit playing the game with a burden and play like it’s a blessing. You’re gonna make mistakes ain’t no scoreboard out there right now, go play, go enjoy it.”"

Obviously, intensity is a must if you’re going to play defense in the SEC. But it’s important to not let that intensity cloud the enjoyment of the game.

"That’s something that I’ve really challenged everybody here [to do], guys football is fun, we’re at the University of Florida."

Having a coach who understands the situation and how much good can come out of it is important. After a bad season and some tough losses, it’s easy to get down on yourself and think that you don’t have what it takes to compete at this level.

Armstrong is here to change that.

And there’s no reason to worry that Austin’s defense will lack the intensity and fire needed just because he preaches playing with positivity.

As we talked about when Armstrong first took the job, his defenses excel at picking passes off and getting pressure on the QB.

Having a DC that can not only coach an elite defense but also relate to the players and help them mature both on and off the field is vital to a football team.

It seems that the players don’t just see Armstrong as a coach, but as a friend too, which can take the unit to a whole different level.

Keep up with Florida football at Hail Florida Hail.