UGLINESS, UNCERTAINTY
Gators suffer brutal loss as questions about McElwain’s future ramp up
JACKSONVILLE — Heading to the team meal on Saturday, coach Jim McElwain was blindsided by the news his career at UF might be coming to end.
The blowback from one of the most bizarre weeks in Florida Gators football had reached a boiling point and McElwain was feeling the heat.
“I was surprised as anybody,” he said. “Those eggs didn’t taste real good.”
McElwain’s Gators soon would serve up a performance that left a bad taste in the mouths of fans and offered further evidence his program is in a tailspin.
The Gators’ 42-7 loss to the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon also intensified the tension between the school and its football coach, putting McElwain’s future in peril.
When asked after the game if he would be surprised if he was fired, McElwain responded, “Nothing in this world surprises me.”
McElwain then checked off the list of his program’s shortcomings since his arrival in December of 2014.
“Look, we haven’t been good on offense. I get it,” he said. “We’ve won a few games, but we haven’t won enough, haven’t won a championship. That’s real. That’s life. That is this business.
“And I take full responsibility for all of it.”
McElwain said he has not “been told anything” about his job status, but said worries are larger than himself.
“My concern isn't about my job,” he said. “My concern is about these players, our staff.”
If Saturday indeed turns out to McElwain’s final game, he will be leaving with his program at the lowest point of his 34-game tenure.
Saturday’s game could not have started worse for McElwain and the Gators, either. In fact, it has not during the modern era.
Georgia scored three firstquarter touchdowns for the first time against UF (3-4, 3-3 SEC) since prior to 1960, giving the unbeaten Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC) an insurmountable 21-0 lead Saturday as an announced crowd of 84,107 looked on at EverBank Field.
The real story of a day unfolded hours prior to kickoff and was the latest twist during a week unlike any at UF since Urban Meyer’s sudden retirement in December 2009.
On Saturday morning, sports agent Darren Heitner posted on Twitter: “Source: Agent Jimmy Sexton & UF have been trying to work out Coach Mac buyout, but are ‘miles apart.’ Still working hard on it.”
Heitner, an attorney and UF fan, is not among the power brokers in sports agency. Yet UF soon responded to his tweet, announcing the school is not negotiating a buyout with McElwain’s representatives.
“No one representing the University of Florida or our athletic department has had any conversations with Coach McElwain or his representatives regarding a buyout of his contract,” UF athletics director Scott Stricklin said in a statement released Saturday. “Our focus is on this great Florida-Georgia rivalry today in Jacksonville.”
The back and forth fueled speculation McElwain would not be UF’s coach much longer. The idea seemed far-fetched despite his team’s disappointing start until a stunning revelation Monday he and his family had received death threats.
When asked to provide evidence to his bosses, McElwain declined, potentially giving the school cause to part ways and avoid paying $12.9 million, or $2.5 million for each of the remaining five years of his contract and his remaining pay this season.
McElwain’s odd behavior, increasingly tense relationship with higher-ups and the Gators’ mounting losses had led to questions about his future in Gainesville.
Since he replaced Will Muschamp, McElwain has taken jabs at the UF administration about lagging facilities.
On Saturday, McElwain spoke glowingly of UF’s commitment, but also sounded resigned that he might no longer be the benefactor.
In addition, McElwain's players have faced extensive legal issues, including a credit-card fraud scandal that generated national headlines and led to nine suspensions in August.
But his players affection for their coach also has been obvious. None would comment on McElwain’s coaching future, but did voice their support for their coach.
“We stand behind Coach Mac,” sophomore safety Chauncey Gardner said. “He stands behind us.”
On the field, McElwain’s struggling offense has never come close to meeting expectations set when he was hired and even proclaimed he could win with his dog playing quarterback.
UF officials now will decide McElwain’s fate. Whatever happens, he said he has no regrets — even his statements this past week.
“I’ve made mistakes in my life,” he said. “And yet, I stand by everything that occurred.