On Sunday, Oct. 29 Jim McElwain and the University Athletic Association agreed to mutually part ways.
McElwain finished 22-12 during his two-plus seasons as head coach and was hired as the 25th head coach in UF history on Dec. 4, 2014.
McElwain won 22 games and two Southeastern Conference Eastern Division titles (2015, 2016) during his tenure at the University of Florida. Florida’s highest AP Poll ranking under McElwain was No. 8, a mark the Gators reached after their win over Missouri in 2015.
Florida went 3-4 under his watch in 2017.
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With his back-to-back SEC East titles, McElwain became the first coach in league history to reach the SEC Championship in his first two seasons as a head coach.
Only McElwain, former LSU coach Les Miles (2005) and Auburn’s Gus Malzhan (2013) reached the title game in their first season.
During his first season in 2015, McElwain led the Gators to a 10-4 overall record, making him the first coach in Florida football history to win 10 games in his inaugural campaign. In addition, McElwain became the 10th coach in SEC history to win 10 games in his first season as head coach, and one of only six to do it after inheriting a team that won less than nine games the year prior to his arrival.
During the regular season, Florida improved from a 6-5 mark in 2014 to a 10-2 regular season in 2015. The four-game turnaround tied the third-biggest one-year leap, in terms of wins, for the program in 32 years (0-10-1 in 1979, 7-4 regular season in 1980 and 6-6 in 2011, 11-1 regular season in 2012).
With all the success came an excitement level around The Swamp that brought Gator Nation out in droves. In 2015, UF led the state with an average attendance of 90,065 for its seven home games – up almost 5,000 fans per game from the previous season.
All of that cumulated in him being voted the 2015 SEC Coach of the Year by his peers and the media, becoming the only coach in school history to garner both awards in his debut season at UF.
McElwain has backed those accolades up in 2016.
The Gators finished the 2016 season 9-4 and were the SEC Eastern Division champions with a 6-2 league mark.
With its win late in the season at LSU, Florida clinched its second-straight SEC East title, which secured its conference-record 12th appearance in the SEC Championship Game. That win in Tiger Stadium marked Florida’s first road win over an SEC Western Division opponent since 2012 (Texas A&M) and its first win in Baton Rouge since 2009.
In addition, Florida defended its home turf in 2016, as the Gators were one of two schools in the conference to notch a perfect record at home (5-0).
Two trends have been constant since McElwain’s arrival on campus, great defense and freshman producing on both sides of the ball.
First off, defense.
Overall, since 2015 Florida has boasted a top-10 defense nationally.
During McElwain’s first season in 2015, the Gators ranked eighth nationally (third in the SEC) in total defense, allowing just 310.2 yards per game. Florida was the only team in the country to hold four FBS opponents to a third-down conversion rate of less than 17 percent. Additionally, the Gators were one of three teams to hold two FBS opponents under 10 percent in that category.
After losing five starters to the NFL, including two first-round picks, the Gators were even better on defense in 2016. UF ranked fifth nationally (second in the SEC) in total defense, allowing just 293.0 yards per game. Also, the Gators had the top pass defense in the conference and the second best in the country, allowing opponents to tally just 148.5 ypg. through the air.
In addition, UF led the country in team passing efficiency defense (92.87) and ranked sixth in scoring defense (16.8). Florida also had four interceptions returned for touchdowns in 2016, which was its most since returning four in 2010.
Secondly, freshmen production.
In the 2017 Outback Bowl, rookie Chauncey Gardner joined two-way standout Dave Hudson (1958 Gator Bowl), Tony Lilly (1983 Gator) and Ahmad Black (2011 Outback) as the only UF defensive backs to be named a bowl MVP. He also became the second true freshman in program history to win a Bowl MVP Award, joining Emmitt Smith (1987).
During that game against Iowa, Gardner had a pair of interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and two tackles. Gardner recorded the first multi-interception game by a freshman since Nov. 13, 2004 when Kyle Jackson had two INTs against South Carolina.
Offensively, Florida has had three true freshman wide receivers record 100-yard receiving games in program history. Two of those three were in the last two seasons. Antonio Callaway achieved this mark in 2015, while Tyrie Cleveland followed his lead in 2016.
Keeping with the offense, running back Jordan Scarlett had a streak of six consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (UK-UGA) in 2016, which tied Kelvin Taylor (2015) and Tim Tebow (2009) for the longest streak by a Gator since Percy Harvin did it in the final seven games of the 2008 season.
Complementing the ground game, McElwain ushered in a passing attack in 2015 that became only the fifth Gator squad since 1996 to throw at least 20 touchdown passes and fewer than 11 interceptions. In addition, UF’s 405 attempts in 2015 were the most by any of the other Gator teams (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009) that accomplished that feat.
UF continued that trend in 2016 as the Gators recorded 410 attempts through the air, which was the most by any Gator team since Florida threw the ball 517 times in 2002.
Also for the second-straight season, six different Gators collected multiple receiving touchdowns. Prior to 2015, the last time it happened was in 2008.
Awards wise, UF had 13 student-athletes earn postseason honors in 2015 from various media outlets. Vernon Hargreaves III was named a Consensus First Team All-American after being selected to all five teams the NCAA considers for recognition. In 2016, Jarrad Davis, Teez Tabor and Johnny Townsend all garnered All-America accolades from various outlets. Meanwhile, offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor and linebacker David Reese were selected to the FWAA and Pro Football Focus and Freshman All-America team.
Off the field, 22 student-athletes from his 2015 team and 27 from his 2016 squad were named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. In addition, 48 student-athletes totaled 187 hours of community service during the 2016-17 academic year.
McElwain accepted the head coaching job at Florida after being named the 2014 Mountain West Coach of the Year and the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year following his third season at Colorado State.
McElwain took over a struggling CSU program in 2012 and turned it around in just three seasons. The Rams had not had back-to-back winning seasons since 2002-03 and had won just three games each of the three years prior to McElwain’s arrival. After going 4-8 in his first season in Fort Collins, CSU won eight games in 2013, its most wins in 12 seasons, including a victory in the New Mexico Bowl over Washington State.
The Rams’ offense was arguably the best in school history in 2014, as quarterback Garrett Grayson, wide receiver Rashard Higgins and running back Dee Hart led an explosive attack. Grayson, the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, ranked among the nation’s passing leaders with nearly 3,800 yards, 32 touchdowns and a 171.3 passer rating. Higgins, a Biletnikoff Award finalist, led the nation with 149.1 receiving yards per game and 17 touchdowns. Hart rushed for over 1,200 yards with 16 touchdowns on the ground.
Through 12 games in the regular season, CSU has averaged a school-record 497.8 yards per game (13th nationally) and averaged 7.2 yards per play (4th nationally). The passing offense led the way with record-breaking numbers, averaging 326.3 yards per game (7th nationally) and an amazing 9.2 yards per pass attempt (2nd nationally). They also ranked 25th in the nation, scoring 35.9 points per game.
The 2013 New Mexico Bowl win capped an 8-6 season that saw McElwain's team re-write the school's record book in several offensive categories, including new standards for single-season points scored (507) and yards per game (470.8). The 2013 Rams scored 50 or more points four times and topped the 500-yard mark for total offense eight times, both school records, and were the only team in Division I FBS to feature a 3,500-yard passer (Garrett Grayson, 3,696) and a 1,500-yard rusher (Kapri Bibbs, 1,741). CSU ranked 24th in the nation in total offense and 22nd in scoring offense, and showed tremendous balance with a No. 27 rushing rank and No. 30 passing rank.
Colorado State made the second-biggest improvement among FBS schools in scoring offense from 2012 to 2013 (from 100th to 22nd) behind Auburn (from 112th to 12th). The Rams’ year-to-year improvement in total offense was fourth-biggest in FBS (100th to 24th) behind Auburn (+104), Washington (+84) and Missouri (+80).
In his first game as head coach in 2012, McElwain led the Rams to a 22-19 comeback win over in-state rival Colorado. McElwain, in so doing became the first CSU head football coach since 1970 to win his first game and the first to defeat Colorado in his first CSU-CU matchup.
McElwain, a 30-year coaching veteran, spent the 2008-11 seasons as offensive coordinator at Alabama, where he played a key role in leading the Crimson Tide to two BCS National Championships (2009 and '11).
In four seasons at Alabama, McElwain played a key role in the Tide compiling an overall record of 48-6, serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His offense led the nation by committing only 57 turnovers in that period and sent two players to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York: 2009 winner Mark Ingram and 2011 finalist Trent Richardson. In 2011, Alabama led the SEC in rushing at 214.5 yards per game (16th nationally), ranked second in total offense at 429.6 total yards per contest (31st nationally) and third in scoring at 34.8 points per game (20th nationally). McElwain also had recruiting responsibilities in the state of Florida while coaching at Alabama.
In back-to-back seasons, McElwain led the Alabama offense to record-breaking seasons. During the 2009 national championship season, the Tide offense set a school record with 5,642 yards from scrimmage. The 2010 offense topped that total as the Tide offense set new school marks for total yards (5,773) and total passing yards (3,395) in one fewer game than 2009.
In 2010 under McElwain’s tutelage, quarterback Greg McElroy set single-season passing records with a 70.9 completion percentage, 20 touchdown passes and 2,987 yards. He finished the year fourth nationally in pass efficiency with a rating of 168.9. His completion percentage that season was the second-best in SEC history.
McElwain’s 2008 offense proved to be one of the nation’s most efficient and productive units. Alabama finished fifth in the SEC in scoring offense (30.1 ppg) and 35th nationally after ranking 64th (seventh in the SEC) in that category in 2007 with an average of 27.1 ppg.
McElwain spent the 2006 season in the NFL as quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders and served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Fresno State in 2007. He made an immediate impact, helping lead the Bulldogs to a 9-4 record, including a 40-28 triumph over Georgia Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl.
In his lone season directing the offense at Fresno State, he improved the Bulldogs' offensive output from 338.2 total yards per game the year before his arrival to 419.5 (No. 38 in the nation), and from 23.0 points per contest to 32.9 (No. 32).
McElwain served as the assistant head coach, receivers coach and special teams coach at Michigan State from 2003-05. The 2003 team reached the Alamo Bowl behind a receiving corps that set school records for receptions (312) and yards (3,510). He coached 2004 All-America punter Brandon Fields and kicker Dave Rayner, who led the Big Ten Conference in scoring. In 2005, five Spartan receivers had at least 28 receptions and the group combined to a set another school record with 24 touchdown catches.
Prior to his stint at Michigan State, McElwain spent three seasons (2000-02) at Louisville as the receivers coach and special teams coach as the Cardinals earned bowl bids in each of those three seasons. He coached four first-team All-Conference USA selections at Louisville and also tutored three of the Cardinals’ all-time leading receivers, including Deion Branch and Arnold Jackson.
From 1995-99, McElwain was the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and receivers coach at Montana State. Under his direction, quarterback Rob Compson threw for nearly 7,000 career yards and a school-record 54 touchdowns. McElwain also coached the Bobcats’ all-time leading receiver Chip Hobbs, who caught 144 career passes for 2,060 yards and 18 TDs. Montana State led the Big Sky Conference in scoring in 1998, averaging 31.6 points per game.
McElwain was at Eastern Washington from 1985-94 in a variety of capacities, starting as a graduate assistant and working his way up to quarterbacks and receivers coach. The Eagles made two NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances (1985 and 1992) and earned a share of the Big Sky Championship in 1992. McElwain coached EWU’s all-time leading receiver, Tony Brooks (2,969 career yards), who earned third team AP All-America honors in 1993.
An all-state quarterback at Missoula (Montana) Sentinel High School, McElwain played quarterback at Eastern Washington from 1980-83 and earned his degree in Education from EWU in 1984.
He and his wife, Karen, have three children, JoHanna, Elizabeth and Jerret.
What They Said When Coach McElwain was Hired…
Head Coach Jim McElwain:
“It’s an honor to be a part of the one of most powerful brands in college athletics in the Florida Gators. I’m humbled, yet very excited about the tremendous opportunity that Dr. Machen and Jeremy Foley have afforded me and my family. I can’t tell you how eager I am to get to Gainesville to set a course for who we are going to be and what we will be all about.”
Former Athletics Director Jeremy Foley:
“Coach McElwain was someone we targeted from the beginning of the search. 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.
“He has a proven track record on the offensive side of the ball, has coached in the SEC, won two national championships and has had success as a head coach. He has recruited the South and the state of Florida and has spent time coaching at the highest level in the NFL.
“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.”
Former University of Florida President Dr. Bernie Machen:
“It is with great pride and excitement that we welcome Coach McElwain and his family to the University of Florida. We look forward to his leadership in the pursuit of excellence, both on and off the field.”
Jim McElwain Coaching History
| Seasons |
School/Team |
Title/Position Coached |
| 2015-2017 |
Florida |
Head Coach |
| 2012-14 |
Colorado State |
Head Coach |
| 2008-11 |
Alabama |
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks |
| 2007 |
Fresno State |
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks |
| 2006 |
Oakland Raiders |
Quarterbacks |
| 2003-05 |
Michigan State |
Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers/Special Teams |
| 2000-02 |
Louisville |
Wide Receivers/Special Teams |
| 1995-99 |
Montana State |
Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers/Special Teams |
| 1987-94 |
Eastern Washington |
Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers |
| 1985-86 |
Eastern Washington |
Graduate Assistant |
Postseason history
| Season |
Appearance/Game |
Opponent |
Result |
| 1985 |
Division I-AA first round |
Idaho |
W 42-38 |
| 1985 |
Division I-AA quarterfinals |
Northern Iowa |
L 17-14 |
| 1992 |
Division I-AA first round |
Northern Iowa |
L 17-14 |
| 2000 |
Liberty Bowl |
Colorado State |
L 22-17 |
| 2001 |
Liberty Bowl |
Brigham Young |
W 28-10 |
| 2002 |
GMAC Bowl |
Marshall |
L 38-15 |
| 2003 |
Alamo Bowl |
Nebraska |
L 17-3 |
| 2007 |
Humanitarian Bowl |
Georgia Tech |
W 40-28 |
| 2008 |
Sugar Bowl |
Utah |
L 31-17 |
| 2009 |
BCS National Championship (Pasadena) |
Texas |
W 37-21 |
| 2010 |
Capital One Bowl |
Michigan State |
W 49-7 |
| 2011 |
BCS National Championship (New Orleans) |
LSU |
W 21-0 |
| 2013 |
Gildan New Mexico Bowl |
Washington State |
W 48-45 |
| 2015 |
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl |
Michigan |
L 41-7 |
| 2017 |
Outback Bowl |
Iowa |
W 30-3 |
