One of the debates that came up as the Billy Napier Era was crashing and burning in Gainesville was whether or not Florida fans had unrealistic expectations for the program. According to some national pundits, the Gators were nothing more than a flash in the pan under Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer, and the results we have seen over the last 15 years are closer to what should be the realistic expectation.
Florida fans aren’t interested in hearing that, and on Monday, Florida’s new offensive line coach made it clear he, too, believes Gators fans should set their expectations high.
Phil Trautwein believes Florida can win national titles
At his press conference on Monday, offensive line coach Phil Trautwein showed off his tattoos on his left arm that symbolized the two national titles he won as a player with Florida in 2006 and 2008. He went on to explain how he plans to add to his tattoo collection:
“I want to win national championships. For me, it’s everything. That’s why I’m here.”
It’s that type of mindset that has been missing from Gainesville since Trautwein and the rest of those national title teams left Florida. Particularly, but not exclusively, during the middle portion of the Billy Napier Era, fans were told they were ungrateful for not being excited over a four-game winning streak to close out 2024. Fans were gaslit into thinking getting blown out every other week was just part of the process. Gator Nation was lectured by outsiders to lower their expectations because Napier was such a nice guy.
So it’s refreshing to hear an assistant coach come in and immediately try to raise the bar back up to what it once was in Gainesville.
Because the reality is that at a place like Florida, you are always one coach away from turning things around and winning. And if it is clear that a head coach isn’t the guy after three years to get you at least near the mountain top, then you let him go and move on to the next guy.
Trautwein understands that, and he is here to win, not to make sure that both teams have fun.