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ESPN’s Brett McMurphy reported Tuesday afternoon that Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain is the top choice to be Florida’s next head coach.
Jim McElwain targeted as UF’s top candidate to replace Will Muschamp, sources told @ESPN
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) December 2, 2014
McElwain’s name has come up as a more likely candidate for the Florida coaching job in recent days. Yahoo Sports’ Pat Forde reported this past Sunday that McElwain appeared to be at the top of athletic director Jeremy Foley’s list.
In addition to McMurphy’s report, Adam Silverstein of OnlyGators.com reported that a plane used by Florida’s University Athletic Association was en route to Fort Collins, Co., where Colorado State is located.
McMurphy later confirmed that Foley is indeed heading to Colorado to meet with McElwain.
Jim McElwain is UF’s top candidate. UF AD Jeremy Foley will meet w/him in Colorado today, sources told @ESPN. Also reported by @YahooForde
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) December 2, 2014
According to the Orlando Sentinel, McMurphy’s contract extension with CSU that he signed includes a $7.5 million buyout. Per the Sentinel‘s Edgar Thompson, Florida could either pay the full buyout or negotiate the buyout by adding CSU on their football schedule.
While unclear whether Foley will offer McElwain the job, an industry source said #Gators "are not talking to anyone else at this point."
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) December 2, 2014
McElwain was just named Mountain West Conference’s Coach of the Year and his quarterback, Garret Grayson, was named the MWC’s Offensive Player of the Year. In three seasons at CSU, McElwain has led the Rams from a 4-8 record in his first year to a 10-2 record in 2014.
He previously served under Nick Saban at Alabama as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator from 2008-11 and won two national championships.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
