Josh Pate On Florida Trip Behind The Scenes (Late Kick Cut)

Billy Napier and Florida have wrapped up spring practice and eventually the 2024 College Football season will arrive with some of the same faces and bigger expectations. Recently Josh welcomed Coach Napier as the latest guest on the Pate State Speaker Series. After spending an entire day on campus Josh took time on Late Kick Live Ep 503 to share some of the things he experienced. Let us know what you think in the comments below and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the channel and CLICK THE BELL for notifications as we bring you multiple live shows per week!
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[@JoshPateCFB]

Keep the show free - SUBSCRIBE to the channel and LIKE the video! - JP

[@coltonbullock8493]

I think people forget we were a solid team 2018-2020 then our coach at the time didn’t care anymore then lost his team then the fan base . We needed culture we now have it , we needed recruiting now we have it . We are on the right track

[@mcgovernoutdoors33]

Agree!!! But a lot of our fan base doesn’t care they want CBN gone but he has done a good job building this program up to what it needs to be!! We will be a better football team this year starting with our defense!! If the defense can improve we will win more games!!

[@l0dime]

In all kinds of weather. 🐊😎

[@slchambers1]

I’ve been a Gator fan since Ray Graves was the coach. Chill Gator fans. It’ll be whatever it is. Go Gators 🐊

[@shawnmack11]

“I’m a gator fan, I don’t mind mediocrity.” ****

[@mikeschmidt4800]

​@@shawnmack11really, the sunshine pumpers and casual fans are the worst.

[@adammauer6424]

I think most realistic gator fans would be at least hopeful for a 7-5 or 8-4 with a schedule that hard . That would be a win in my book . Lagway needs a year to develop . 25 will be a fairly dangerous Florida team over this years team which should still be solid .

[@Thisguy2532]

I would love 8-4 or 7-5 I’ll take that, plus I see us winning some games that the analysts think we won’t win but if we get that record satisfaction for me if it’s better then that’s just icing on the cake

[@kg30004]

Yup, give em time

[@Freshy_Jones]

Y’all forget Norvel had a worse record his first two years at fsu and their schedule is easy as hell, stay tuned haters.

[@TTTfloridagators]

I think we’re really close to be a good program again. This year will be tough, but starting next year with DJ running the offense I think we will take off

[@mohassan43]

One thing people take for granted is the landscape of the game changed right when Billy was hired. It’s not an excuse but the goal posts moved the day he got off the plane.

[@qlee2385]

Not with that shitty oline and defense

[@joebird1400]

Tennessee says hi😮

[@MikeHawkbaby]

Florida still lines only lines up 10 players on special teams even in the spring game

[@qlee2385]

@@MikeHawkbaby exactly

[@dean6978]

I was 5 years old when Florida was playing in the 2008 national championship. I can’t even remember the last time they were a solid team. I remember watching a few games but that’s it. Looking toward to them being back so I can truly enjoy it!

[@Seahawk210]

I mean, they were pretty solid in 2012, 2018 and 2019. Albeit the success was shortlived but each of those years they finished in the top 10

[@dean6978]

Fair point. I do remember them being Ranked 2 with muschamp. 2018 and 2019 was great. We had one of the best offenses ever but our defense was horrible lol.

[@rickyrougs]

2020 happened

[@Freshy_Jones]

Blow seed clown they’re had plenty of good teams since then.

[@MJ-ut9gp]

@@dean6978Marco Wilson threw a shoe and it cursed us

[@KadeWilliamson]

Thanks for the info and work, Pate! Much appreciated. Go Gators! 🐊

[@gatornationforlife2001]

I just want to see a locker room and culture really come to life this year. Discipline on and off the field plus players backing up coaches which I feel like is starting to happen. Honestly even if we go .500 but the players have Billy’s back I’m fine with him staying one more year

[@jaysmith7725]

Y’all don’t do them spit on players that’s your standard and shit Ville

[@jaysmith7725]

And I forget losers

[@jahendrix1543]

@@jaysmith7725 classic FSU fan that is unable to form a complete sentence

[@trouble_makin_tyler]

never doubted blue chip billy !!! he's a winner and they are going to build a winning progrum

[@hardwiredtoself-destructio7614]

Billy ballsack 😎🐊

[@jahendrix1543]

he is the exact opposite of a winner. he's a loser on and off the field

[@mcgovernoutdoors33]

The wins are coming for the Gators!! We will see a major improvement this year!! Go Gators 🐊

[@barrone71]

Fla AD and UAA don’t care about Football the way programs like GA, Ohio St, LSU, TX etc do. Jeremy Foley always promoted “All Sports Equal”, always hired up and comers (Meyer hardly counts as his relationship with then UF President/former Utah President BMachen sealed that deal) and neglected football facilities up until the end of Mullen’s era. Hopefully Napier is the guy, but the real change for Fla to get back to the yearly elite level starts with the AD (SStriklin sucks and is just a glorified construction overseer for facilities) and the UAA. Luckily now UF President BSasse loves football unlike former President KFuchs.

[@cryptonbarton6717]

This was beautiful. Usually I’m a pate is full of shot guy, but not anymore

[@joeg4707]

11-14. If it doesn't translate to the field, it doesn't matter.

[@jameservin1333]

Not a Gator fan(fsu , go noles) but who did they piss off , I have never seen a schedule like theirs in college football ever , I'm 46 about to 47 in the fall and I've been watching college football since 1988 , man it's brutal.

[@therolandx]

The Armstrong D' was the problem last year. Easily 8 win season with an average defense. Too many freshmen and sophomores and just no cohesion that you get from playing years together.

[@briangardner1361]

Dem Boys gonna be alright. Pate State 4eva

[@marcell5055]

I will always respect them Gators. As a Noles fan we don’t look past them no matter what the record reflects.

[@patrickmacleod2415]

As much as I like beating you Noles, and hate losing to you, I do miss the days when both programs had their shi** together at the same time and the games were epic battles with everything on the line for both teams. You Noles got it going again, so hopefully we can get back soon to keep you guys in check. :-).

[@lawv804]

Any time one of the Florida teams rises up, another one falls down. Florida State just had an undefeated regular season, and Miami looks like they're getting better. Im down on Florida for the foreseeable future. And I hate that the annual Florida vs LSU rivalry is no more.

[@GoGators1014]

Show us on the field that we can win.

[@Mickeymouse7727]

Lagway looked sharp as hell

[@deathwalkrecordings1318]

That Pate State jersey though!

[@WilliamPerry-jj5jg]

Need to give Billy sustained support for at least 10 years to build from what he was handed. He's recruiting in Florida again. These players want to be at UF! Go Gators!

[@jahendrix1543]

this type of fan delusion is why our AD doesn't take football seriously

[@WilliamPerry-jj5jg]

@@jahendrix1543 I have no delusions. I've been a fan since I was 2 years old. I'm 60 now. I was there when Hershel stomped us (stayed for the entire game - I wanted to remember the sting), and I was there when Bell dove over the endzone against Auburn. I have no delusions.

[@Travis89-ob5tt]

If he could get 8 wins with a few upsets and show some promise for the future it would go a long way. Especially if Lagway shows flashes of what he can do things could turn around quick. I really believe the talent is there it's on the coaches to develop it. He's definitely shown some recruiting chops if the wins come the recruits will too.

[@rileyshane78]

Hope your right. I’m just not a believer yet. Mullen still a way way way way better In game coach. They were right there just four years ago. If not for a shoe thrown Florida could’ve made the playoffs without winning the sec. They were clearly talented enough. They gave bama a way better game than anyone else that year. Not to mention blew the doors off ga.

[@errollwalker9151]

Solve the middle eight and actually tackle better than last year. The wins will come. We Gators fans are ready for a winner!

[@kg30004]

Real, sustained success takes time to build towards. Many fans want flash in the pan success now over long-term success down the road unfortunately

[@NASAghostgang]

Sun Belt Billy!

[@tomgore9696]

Thanks Josh, Gator Nation needs to hear that in the worst way. GG!

[@gabe5946]

Chomp chomp! 🐊🐊

[@god_speed0949]

Go gators 🐊😤

[@TheJasonJackson84]

1990s Florida Gators were wayyyyyy more impressive than what Urban Meyer did with them. Florida in the 90s were like the Dallas Cowboys in a sense because everybody knew somebody who liked the Florida Gators. And their fans were arrogant as hell but they had the right to be. They were really that good. No down years. They won 6 conference titles from 1990 to 2000 and lost out on 2 more in 1992 and 1999. I hated Steve Spurrier.

[@jahendrix1543]

think you mean SEC titles not national titles, pretty big difference. Spurrier was one hell of a coach tho

[@TheJasonJackson84]

@@jahendrix1543 absolutely, thanks for catching that

[@kevinlindstrom6752]

So I'm really curious, what do you think. Aggie's VS Gators early in the season, before Florida is really in that big grind in the back half of their season. How does it go?

[@mohassan43]

I mean TAMu has half of the Florida defense , i don’t know if that game is a toss up but if Billy is going to last he needs to win it convincingly

[@PolishGator]

Toss up but i'd lean towards Florida since A n M is in year 1 of new everything.

[@Freshy_Jones]

Florida pissed on Tamu last time they played..Should be the same.

[@Freshy_Jones]

@@mohassan43they have a couple lazy kids that took plays off, do you think we wanted to retain that culture? Lmfao 🤡

[@anitrarose9876]

Day 1, he said this would take a while…..3 plays away from an 8 or 9 win season last year. This year could be really good. Be patient, Urban and The HBC did not have the Challenges Billy has had.

[@justinadonis1453]

A decade? Bro must have forgot 2020

[@liam21555]

🐊🐊🐊

[@inshalah80]

Go Gators!

[@gordonmelling3443]

Come on playoffs

[@noles9998]

Is that your Jim mora impression?

[@brandonallger1795]

Thanks Josh, you said So many nice things about the worst coach we’ve had, maybe ever. Besides Muschamp.

[@FightingMexican]

Everyone is big on Napier during talking season. Reality sets in when the season kicks off. I love my Gators, but damn dude… the Napier experiment is a disaster.

[@BenC-77]

Go Gators!!!

[@user-fl7zn1lj6l]

Thanks Josh. You do a hell of a job! Instant gratification society. I'm a life long Gator and our expectations our ridiculous. Leave the man alone and let him work!

[@NicholasWhitener]

I like u man u seem like a smart person.🐊🐊🐊🐊 we gonna be a sleeper this year.

[@joeg4707]

*are ridiculous

[@orenthaljames2534]

meh this all means nothing if the product on the field looks unprepared and overmatched again next season

[@hb2088]

New President Sasse is not gonna tolerate mediocrity. That includes Gentleman Billy Napier. FYI the facility enhancements started with Coach Dan Mullen. He couldn't recruit or discipline but Coach Mullen could on field outcoach. Best since Urban.

[@joeg4707]

Mullen couldn't recruit? Looking at his class rankings from ON3--2018, No. 17; 2019, No. 11; 2020, No. 8; 2021, No. 13--shows that Napier hasn't improved that level. Mullen had three New Year's Day bowls. Billy is 11-14.

[@hb2088]

@@joeg4707 Mullen stated he did not enjoy/like recruiting. He inherited some high recruits. Interpretation of my comments: Mullen was a better "overall" coach. Napier doesn't "close" out on his recruiting. Notwithstanding the NIL and Portal have fundamentally changed the Gators since Dan's day.

[@BashayG7175]

I don't want to hear a damn thing from Billy Napier. Enough of the talk! Show me on the football field. Go Gators

[@jackshaftoe1715]

SHOW ME THE MONEY !

[@go.gators]

Go Gators beat miami!!🐊

[@joshharris7193]

Their spring game looked as tho nothing is getting better.

[@AARon-fe1mo]

Really? We didn’t watch the same spring game.

[@ijustwanttonap]

Taking anything from a spring game is foolish imo. It's a practice, nothing more.

[@rickyrougs]

you could definitely see the effort. way less missed tackles. smack made all his kicks. secondary definitely improved. still concerned about playcalling and wr2. also the backup kicker stinks.

[@Freshy_Jones]

Get the crack pipe out of your mouth 🤡

[@BurntToast681]

Did you watch the game, do you know who was playing on each team? Do you who coaches which team, you talking like you don’t know what your saying and are just yappin the game was incredibly even and competitive if you can’t see that you won’t see anything unless your mind opens up

[@jaysmith7725]

😂😂😂😂😂 that’s the roach coach motel

[@stanleyday7293]

Hopium! On the field, the Napier led Gators have been a mess regarding special teams, time management, defense, route trees, play calling (predictable, blown trick plays, too many throws at or behind the line of scrimmage). Players play uninspired. Some of this has to fall on Napier, can't all be the fault of someone else (freshmen, other coaches). Not expecting miracles this year.

[@blakenagy8399]

Im just here to say, GO NOLES!

[@jaysmith7725]

Coach Norville, the mad scientist is a top five coach and a nation y’all got bozo the clown

[@jahendrix1543]

hopefully we're getting a new coach with a proven track record after this season

[@davidschlarp1606]

According to 247 Napier tookb over a top 15 roster in the entire country so i don't buy the lack of talent argument. He got gifted a top 5 NFL QB. Mullen took over a 4 win roster and won 10 games year 1. Went to 2 NY6 bowl games. Then he got lazy when he thought he was going to the NFL and that didn't happen. Then he chose his friendships over the program. Notably Grantham. Reminds me of Napier/ Rob Sale🤷🏻‍♂️......next why don't they pay these coaches by the number of wins they get? Win more you make more. Not just here is 7 million a year with a huge buyout. Oh you're sub .500e every year unto you get fired and you still make 30 million

[@mattbutler9089]

Josh you are wrong this time

[@ricflair8863]

Stricklin & Billy GONE by Halloweeen ‘24.

[@Chasing72]

You know nothing about the UFAA, Gator Boosters and what Napier’s buyout is. He’s guaranteed to be there through 2025

[@jahendrix1543]

@@Chasing72 anything can happen. but you really believe they'll keep this bum if he goes 4-8 or 3-9 with losses to every major rival? then you're insane. his ass is grass if he doesn't get at least get 5 wins. and Id make the argument that if he isnt bowl eligible its fair to fire him. we as a fanbase can not get comfortable with mediocrity

[@Chasing72]

@@jahendrix1543 Those records may not be survivable. However a 6-6 or 6-7 record will be if the powers that be believe we're improving. This is a long term rebuild and, unfortunately, many fans fail to recognize that.

[@Jollydawg1411]

Still selling.

[@baddoomguy1986]

That depends-- are your players still swatting coaches and throwing shoes? Maybe they'll learn to count to 11 this year.

[@Moegilly]

Florida needs to hire better coaches 😂 The past Coaching hires have been atrocious go call Steve Spurrier or his sons.

[@ElevatedThinker43]

Winning culture with no wins 😂😂😂

[@user-qj4hc1qn4j]

4-8

[@ericmadeoftin8206]

No more napping for Napier. Wake up! This isn't Wake Forest. I Miss the good Ole days. Like at Ole Miss. Im leaving now.

[@BrettBoi4117]

Hope is the thing that kills ya Josh. Don’t do this to me. I just want to see improvement in 24

[@MK-ps2jp]

Dawg Food!!

[@jackshaftoe1715]

Ya I think so too. 🦆

[@KadeWilliamson]

Cyclical. It’ll come back around.

[@homebrewstudios6228]

Naaa we will beat Mississippi State this year prety easily

[@kswiss6978]

Go gators, no matter what but Josh I’m not buying your bullshit right now

[@SabansBaldSpot]

so basically what you’re saying is they have everything that winning programs have except the actual wins? i think you hitched your wagon to the napier train and are just staying along for the ride until it runs off the track.

[@joshharris7193]

Absolutely. I think he’s going to end being wrong.

[@rickyrougs]

i think he’s saying that everything is in place to be a winning program that wasnt there when billy got there

[@theread3480]

Reading comprehension isnt your strong suit apparently. He literally said that everything winning programs needed were not there when billy got there and now in year 3 billy has built the program up to a point where it now has everything a winning program needs.

[@vinnythewebsurfer]

Wins are overrated. Good vibes are more important clearly :^p

[@SabansBaldSpot]

@@theread3480 i heard what he said bozo. if i wanted to hear it again, i would’ve rewatched the video. there are programs with less resources that are in a much better place than florida is or was when he first got there so don’t feed me some sob story about how he took over a struggling program and hasn’t had the right support. tennessee has been in the toilet for a decade and even they’ve gotten it together in a top heavy division. dan mullen recruited at the same level that napier has and he only had one losing season at florida so what’s the excuse?

[@qlee2385]

I don’t buying nothing Scott stricklin billy taggert and Josh pate trying to sell

[@jetbird7403]

I DO NOT ACCEPT J P’S reason or Logic 👿 I say, no hope for the gators !!! Geaux Tigah’s

[@jefferyparker4277]

Florida...haha...Go DAWGS!!!

[@daquandavis3841]

He will fail. The SEC is getting tougher.

[@Blueian742]

Ew Flordia Gators 🐶 🔴 ⚫️ 🥇

[@ltokes66]

The Swamp is a shithole like Gainesville, Napier and the program. 5-7 again if they’re lucky. Miami is gonna thump them game 1.

[@jahendrix1543]

calling Gainesville a shithole while being a Miami fan is so ironic. you don't even have you own stadium lmao

[@ltokes66]

@@jahendrix1543 yes people from all over the world come to visit Trailerville. The town, the program and stadium are straight shitholes.