The University of Florida's administration stymied speculation about Billy Napier's coaching future atop the Gators program midway through the 2024 campaign, and the team took care of the rest when it capped the year with four-straight victories.
Now, with optimism renewed and a crucial year at hand, Florida is making some notable additions to Napier's staff.
Sources tell FootballScoop that Roy Istvan, who's coached with both the NFL's Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, has joined the Florida staff as an offensive analyst working with the Gators offensive line.
Of note, Istvan was Cleveland's assistant offensive line coach most recently and logged five seasons with the Eagles. He was prominently featured on HBO's Hard Knocks when it focused on Cleveland and has more than three decades' experience.
Among his more noteworthy quotes, as featured below? "We're not going to Denver to go (bleeping) skiing!"
.@Browns assistant OL coach Roy Istvan will have you ready to run through a brick wall 🗣️#HardKnocks In Season with the AFC North available now on @StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/dnYlYzK1EP
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2024
Additionally, James Carpenter -- a former NFL Draft first-round pick from Nick Saban's Alabama machine -- also has joined the Gators as an offensive analyst who is working with Florida's offensive line.
Carpenter played 11 years in the NFL after he was the No. 25 overall pick in 2011 by the Seattle Seahawks; he won a Super Bowl and played for Seattle, the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints across his time in the NFL.
Florida, which finished 8-5 in 2024, opens the coming season with back-to-back home games against FCS Long Island and South Florida before initiating SEC play on the road at LSU.