With those buyout issues resolved, the Florida Gators have a new head coach in tow. Former Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain has agreed to coach the Gators and will be introduced this afternoon.
Foley flew out to Colorado to meet with McElwain on Tuesday evening, and the two discussed the job at length. Foley flew back to Gainesville Wednesday afternoon after the two sides had “very productive conversations,” but the Gators hadn’t been able to reach an agreement with Colorado State on the buyout. On Thursday morning, that changed.
The Gators are expected to officially introduce McElwain as coach at a press conference on Thursday evening.
Sources have told GatorBait.net that McElwain is expected to try to retain some of the existing defensive staff.
In his third year at Colorado State, McElwain led the Rams to a 10-2 regular season. He was named the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year in 2014 with an offense that ranks 13th nationally at 497.8 yards per game.
The deal had been hung up before Thursday morning as Colorado State refused to budge on McElwain’s $7.5 million buyout and Florida had refused to pay the entire amount.