Kirk Herbstreit got a little overexcited after Florida defeated Ole Miss in one of Week 13's biggest upsets. After the Gators' 24-17 win, Herbstreit either joked or seriously (and egregiously) pitched Gators head coach Billy Napier to take home the National College Football Coach of the Year Award.
Herbstreit added deserved praise for Florida QB DJ Lagway in his over-the-top message.
"Can a guy with a team that will finish 7-5 win the coach of the year award? He should!! Billy Napier and (the Gators) after being 4-5 and losing 2 straight, have beaten LSU and Ole Miss. So impressive to see this fight from the Gators and their fans after having a tough year," Herbstreit tweeted. "And, oh yeah, DJ Lagway is the REAL DEAL!"
Florida now has one of the brightest futures in the SEC coming off consecutive wins over LSU and Ole Miss. Napier looks like the next Eli Drinkwitz; looking capable of elevating UF into an SEC contender like Drinkwitz did at Missouri.
Of course, if the 2025 season resembles the 2024 campaign, Napier will most certainly be on the hot seat again. And he may not get that second vote of confidence from the athletic department's brain trust.
That's not the focus right now, though. Napier was optimistic while speaking to reporters postgame - and he believes the Gators are just getting started.
"I would just say we're just getting started. I think this is part of the big-picture journey," Napier said during the November 23 press scrum.
The big-picture journey looks more promising by the minute at UF. And unlike many of its Power 4 counterparts, Florida has a big picture that involves multiple championship trophies.
The Gators have been a sleeping giant for years. Maybe they're awake now.