SDS is publishing a daily series this week on the ‘State of the Union’ for each SEC program over the last few seasons.

A State of the Union analysis might seem strange for a program that completely cleaned house in recent months, but a deeper look reveals that Gator fans have much to be optimistic about.

For the first time in over a decade, the Florida coaching staff is completely new. There’s not a single holdover from the previous staff (other than Chris Leak who remains involved, but not as an official coach). This has not been the norm in Gainesville. Urban Meyer held over coaches (most notably Charlie Strong) from the Zook era. Muschamp held over coaches from the Meyer era. But, Jim McElwain cleaned house.

While the casual and sometimes goofy presence of McElwain can lead fans to question the future of Florida football, this much is obvious: Jim McElwain has a clear direction and he’s implementing it.

In his introductory press conference, McElwain repeatedly spoke of “infrastructure.” The broad term can mean many things and it’s likely that McElwain intends his new infrastructure to be multi-faceted. Facilities, organizational structure, and recruiting strategy are all fair game.

Where Will Muschamp was cast in the mold of a no-nonsense football coach, Jim McElwain is much more of the CEO type. Having a more “CEO-ish” head coach doesn’t mean better results are on the way, but Florida fans should be comforted in the fact that McElwain has done this before, and as such, it just feels different this time.

Let’s dive into specifics about the Florida football program.

ON-FIELD PERFORMANCE

SEC standing: Middle of SEC East

Grade: C-

Florida’s 6-5 regular season record in 2014 could easily have been 8-3 had a few plays gone the other way (LSU, South Carolina), but thus is the nature of football. Overall, the season was yet another typical Will Muschamp season in which the defense thrived and the offense struggled.

Despite the early emergence of Demarcus Robinson as a go-to receiver for the Gators offense, continued QB issues doomed the Gators in several games, and ultimately doomed Will Muschamp. After the benching of Jeff Driskel, Treon Harris brought a much needed spark, but inconsistency and accuracy woes prevented Harris from solidifying himself as the future QB of the Gators.

The Florida defense shined as usual under Will Muschamp led by soon to be first round draft pick Dante Fowler Jr and electric defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III. The Gators defense finished 15th nationally giving up 329.8 yards per game.

Moving forward, Florida has existing talent ready to go for this new coaching staff. The biggest question will be at quarterback. Is Treon Harris the guy? What about Will Grier? McElwain has a track record of developing quarterbacks, so the future should definitely be brighter than the past for Florida QBs.

RECRUITING

SEC standing: Middle of SEC East

2015 rank: No. 21

Grade: B+

Will Muschamp recruited well while leading the Gators, though he struggled to secure elite talent on the offensive side of the ball.

After the hiring of Jim McElwain, Florida had much ground to make up and that they did. On National Signing Day, Florida signed two five-star prospects in OT Martez Ivey and DE CeCe Jefferson. Perhaps even more importantly, the Gators signed what could end up being one of the best running backs in the class in Jordan Scarlett. Getting Scarlett to pick the Gators over Miami and Florida State may end up being the biggest win of McElwain’s first class in Gainesville.

McElwain has made it clear that he’s putting the full court press on South Florida athletes. Hiring Randy Shannon away from Arkansas will be a big help as the Gators target this rich recruiting area. The focus may already be paying dividends with the 2016 class as McElwain snagged two South Florida recruits just this week.

Regardless of where the blame is placed for Florida’s offensive woes, at the end of the day, Florida needs more talent on offense. Considering the in-state talent available, any positive momentum on offense for McElwain could result in a major upgrade in talent levels on offense. Ivey and Scarlett are the beginning, and I’m guessing that there will be much more in the years ahead.

McElwain successfully navigated his first, shortened recruiting period. Next year should be easier and even more productive.

FACILITIES

SEC standing: Middle of the SEC

Grade: C+

Florida’s facilities have been a hot topic over the last year mostly due to the lacking of an indoor practice facility.

As the topic of facilities comes to the forefront when the program is losing on the field, it probably got more attention than it warranted. But in today’s college football, that’s how it works.

Florida announced in January that it is moving forward with a $15 million indoor practice facility.

COACHING

SEC standing: TBD

Grade: TBD

It’s difficult to assign a grade at this point to the Florida staff at this stage. McElwain has assembled a staff with familiar names mixed with some fresh faces. McElwain himself, Doug Nussmeier, Chris Rumph, Randy Shannon and Geoff Collins are all known quantities to SEC fans, but how they mesh together and co-exist… we will have to wait and see.

Like any fan base with a new coach, optimism rules the day. If McElwain can beat the teams Florida should beat in 2015 plus a few they maybe shouldn’t beat while rebuilding the reputation for offensive talent at Florida, McElwain & Co. could very well be on the way to restoring Florida to a championship level football program.