Here’s what Jim McElwain said to the media today in his first press conference after the Gators’ bowl win.

To watch the full press conference, click here.

Opening statement

First and foremost, I just love the way our team played in the bowl game and the guys that held that thing together. Just kind of the character in which they played with and the energy they played with … Just to see the competitive nature was great … I was really proud of our guys. School started Tuesday. We had our official team meeting with most of our staff in place on Monday. Most of the guys were very receptive and should feel good about themselves. As you go through life, one of the most important things that you do is really kind of the energy that you carry. There’s a lot of unknowns … I was really proud of our guys and our new hires jumped in and embraced our guys … What we’ve done in our first week is I’ve given them some assignments. The first assignment is to get to know us … it isn’t just about coaching bowl, it’s about being involved in their lives …

On a timetable for hiring a wide receivers coach

I don’t know if I had a timetable for anybody … the key is just to get the best guy who is going to affect these young men’s lives and allow them to perfect their craft. There’s a lot of things going out there in the world of football … I do know this, I think you guys will be happy about it when it happens.

On hiring Randy Shannon

He was a guy that was top of my list from the standpoint of the people and how they speak of his integrity, his discipline and his organization and his ball coaching ability. The thing that gets lost, man, this guys is a great ball coach … I think it speaks that we had a lot of mutual friends, true relationships, that he felt compelled to jump on board as a guy that can help me navigate. I can’t tell you how excited I’m am that he is here.

On players deciding to return to team or leave early for the NFL

I wanted them all back. Let’s face it. We’re all faced with as we wake up everyday with choices and decisions of what we think his best for us … I’m 100 percent supportive of whatever choice or decision they made. I spoke with all of them. The only thing I told them was ‘ you will always be a Gator.’ … When you have to talk someone into something or whether it’s actually totally in their heart … you have to be all in or all out, no matter what you do. We’re here for them. I’ll do everything I can do to support them …

On Kirk Callahan being defensive backs coach

He has great familiarity, not only in a recruiting standpoint in an area he grew up in and was involved in, but this guy has done an outstanding job at a hard position at UCF … he was here as a GA and he really helps me how to get down the stairwell to the right spot. He knows a lot of these players, there’s a like-system there in what Terrell [Williams], Randy and Geoff Collins will do …

On what he’s seen from Will Grier and the QB competition

I’ve got to see how these guys handle the team a little bit when we get going with the offseason things that we do from a leadership standpoint … my eyes are wide open with every position on this team. As I explained to them, I don’t care about history … they’ve got a blank slate.

On dismissing Gerald Willis

He made a choice, there’s things we all do. We’ll be here for him. It’s nothing personal. At the end of the day, affect the people around you in a positive way and do what’s right.

On buzz surrounding the Florida program

From a national standpoint and a recruiting standpoint, we’ve gotten great feedback about what we’re doing and how we’ve gone about doing it. It’s about relationships and trust. We’re not going to get every target we have. In some cases it might be a better fit somewhere else, and I know the guys we’re going to sign are going to be really good players. They’re going to be guys committed to being a part of something special and a resurgence and I’m really looking forward to that. Now, you have to understand the way recruiting is … we’re trying to catch up a bit. I get it … we’ve got a lot of ground to make up. These next two weeks are going to be crucial for us to make a dent …