Can McElwain have a better start at Florida than Spurrier and Meyer?

The Florida Gators have a winning coach on the sidelines again.

Jim McElwain came into Gainesville with big shoes to fill. While Florida has struggled the past few seasons, the legacies of Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer have always been lingering in the air as the Gators suited up on Saturdays.

So just how good is McElwain? During Spurrier’s first season with the Gators in 1990, he went 9-2. The head ball coach reached instant success in his first head coaching gig in the SEC and caught on instantly with the Gators faithful.

Meyer had a similar path in his first season at Florida. After two dominating seasons at Utah, Meyer took over in 2005 and led the Gators to a 9-3 season.

For McElwain to trump the inaugural years of Spurrier and Meyer, he can’t lose more than two games, which seems highly possible. The Gators’ only major tests for the rest of the season will take place Saturday against Georgia and Nov. 28 at home against No. 17 Florida State.

But even if the Gators win the remainder of their games, will McElwain’s first year actually trump those of Spurrier and Meyer?

Many would argue that it wouldn’t.

If he leads Florida to an SEC title, it will. The path is set for the Gators to play in Atlanta on Dec. 5, likely taking on LSU or Alabama. Neither Spurrier nor Meyer claimed an SEC title in his first season, though both won the SEC championship in their second year.

Sean Labar

Sean Labar is an SEC football contributor for Saturday Down South.