GAINESVILLE, Fla. (CBS4/P) – After working though a buyout issue, Jim McElwain is leaving the CSU Rams to become Florida’s next head coach.
The Gators announced the hiring later Thursday by stating that McElwain is returning to the Southeastern Conference after three seasons at CSU.
Jim McElwain (credit: CBS)
McElwain officially accepted the job Thursday morning after working out a deal to reduce a $7.5 million buyout that had been the sticking point, a person familiar with the search said. The person to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Gators have not announced details of their coaching search.
CSU players leave a meeting where they learned their coach is leaving (credit: CBS)
The person said Florida traveled to Colorado with the belief that the buyout could be whittled down. But Colorado State President Tony Frank stood firm on $7.5 million, and the financial roadblock prompted Florida athletic director to leave Colorado without an agreement.
McElwain, his attorney and Colorado State worked out a settlement Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
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A press conference to introduce McElwain as the 24th head coach in Florida football history is scheduled for Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
ESPN first reported the hiring.
In finalizing the deal, the University Athletic Association and Colorado State have agreed to a payment of $3 million over six years. Florida and Colorado State will also play a game in Gainesville between 2017-20 with a $2 million guarantee. McElwain has agreed to a $2 million payment over time to Colorado State.
McElwain’s total compensation package at UF will average $3.5 million annually over six years.
The 52-year-old McElwain replaces Will Muschamp, who was fired Nov. 16. Muschamp agreed to stick around for the final two regular-season games and finished with a 28-21 record in four seasons.
McElwain is 22-16 in three seasons at Colorado State. He was offensive coordinator at Alabama before moving to Fort Collins, Colorado.
Foley detailed several requirements for Muschamp’s replacement, saying his next coach had to have high integrity, character and needed to be a fit at Florida.
“Coach McElwain was someone we targeted from the beginning of the search,” Foley said. “The more we worked through the process and did our due diligence, coupled with our meeting and conversations with him and those around him, it was obvious he is the right person to lead the Florida Gator football program.”
McElwain has NFL experience, Southeastern Conference ties and a track record of success on the offensive side of the ball. His offense ranks 13th nationally, averaging 498 yards a game.
McElwain took over a program that went 3-9 for three consecutive seasons (2009-11), but has enjoyed a quick turnaround since his arrival. The Rams went 4-8 in 2012 and 8-6 last year before this season’s breakthrough performance. They have wins against rival Colorado and Boston College in 2014.
Foley said offensive success was paramount for Florida’s next coach after four years of offensive futility in Gainesville, where fans got somewhat spoiled watching Steve Spurrier’s “Fun `n’ Gun” in the 1990s and then Urban Meyer’s high-scoring spread scheme in the late 2000s.
“He has an engaging personality and is someone who can connect with a variety of audiences and he operates with a high level of integrity. I welcome him and his family to The Gator Nation and I’m looking forward to working alongside him and his staff as they build a championship program both on and off the field,” said Foley.
The Gators finished 105th, 103rd and 113th in total offense during Muschamp’s first three seasons. They rank 90th this season, but Muschamp said last week that he’s leaving behind a “deep and talented” roster.
“They’ve got a good locker room and a bunch of talented players and a bunch of good kids,” Muschamp said. “We’ve cleaned up the place and it’s ready for somebody to go take the next step.”
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
