Former Florida head coach [autotag]Jim McElwain[/autotag] will retire from coaching following the 2024 season, his 40th in football and sixth as the head man at Central Michigan.
“My wife Karen and I have cherished every moment of our football journey,” McElwain said Wednesday in a statement. “We want to express our deepest gratitude to all the players who have welcomed us into their lives, and the incredible coaches and support staff at every stop along the way — it has been a true privilege to work alongside all of them. The lifelong friendships that were created mean the world to us.”
McElwain led the Florida Gators from 2015 to 2017, earning SEC Coach of the Year honors in 2015 and winning two SEC East titles. Prior to his stint in Gainesville, McElwain served as the head coach at Colorado State University, earning Mountain West Coach of the Year in 2014. Over 12 years as a head coach, McElwain is 77-62, including a 22-12 record with the Gators.
He controversially left Florida, mutually parting ways with the university after accusing fans of sending him what was reported as “unsubstantiated death threats.”
The firing came together rather quickly after the death-threat debacle, and Florida paid him a $7.5 million buyout, including a stipulation that he couldn’t speak negatively about the program in public. He remains the shortest-tenured head coach at Florida since Dennis K. Stanley submitted his resignation in 1935. Billy Napier needs to coach 10 more games at Florida to avoid taking the record.
McElwain’s retirement announcement comes 11 days after he became the subject of an ongoing NCAA investigation involving notorious Michigan Wolverines assistant Connor Stalions, who appeared on the Chippewas sideline last season.
He distanced himself from Stalions, condemning the behavior and stating he had no knowledge of the incident. Central Michigan will begin a nationwide search for its next head coach immediately.
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