Newly hired Florida head coach Jim McElwain is on his way to Gainesville, Fla., to take on a Gator football program looking to return back to the top of the SEC.

The former Colorado State head coach gave some thoughts on his huge coaching move for the first time Thursday evening in a statement released by the University of Florida.

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“It’s an honor to be a part of the one of most powerful brands in college athletics in the Florida Gators,” McElwain said in a press release. “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.”

CSU players, including Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year Garrett Grayson, have spoken out in support of McElwain and his move down to Gainesville.

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McElwain also took some time to extend his gratitude to Colorado State via Twitter for the opportunity he had in Fort Collins, Colo., over the last three years.