GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley wanted a coach with an offensive track record of success.
Foley even agreed to pay extra to get him.
After working though a sticky buyout issue, Jim McElwain left Colorado State on Thursday to become Florida’s next head coach.
The Gators announced the hiring at the same time McElwain started a team meeting with players and assistants. Reporters heard a loud ovation before McElwain exited the room in tears.
McElwain agreed to a six-year deal at Florida that will average $3.5 million annually. He made $1.5 million this season at Colorado State.
“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 accepted the job after working with Colorado State to reduce his $7.5 million buyout. Florida will pay the Rams $3 million over six years. McElwain will pay $2 million over time. The Gators also guaranteed Colorado State $2 million for a game in Gainesville between 2017 and 2020.
The Gators traveled to Colorado with the belief that the buyout could and would be whittled down. But Colorado State president Tony Frank initially stood firm on $7.5 million, and the financial roadblock prompted Foley to leave Colorado without an agreement Wednesday.
McElwain, his attorney and both schools worked through the night to reach a settlement. McElwain and his family will be introduced at a Saturday news conference in Gainesville.
Florida fired Will Muschamp on Nov. 16. He agreed to coach the final two regular-season games and finished with a 28-21 record in four seasons.
McElwain went 22-16 in three seasons at Colorado State. He was Alabama’s offensive coordinator for four years, helping the Tide win two national titles, before moving to Fort Collins, Colo.
“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,” Foley said. “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.”
Thumbnail photo via Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images
