The Florida Gators could have their new head football coach as early as Tuesday night, as Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley is currently meeting with Colorado State coach Jim McElwain
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Florida’s search to replace Will Muschamp may be done sooner than expected.
The Gators reportedly will offer Colorado State coach Jim McElwain the position on Tuesday night, as Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley flew to Fort Collins to meet with McElwain, who led the Rams to an 10-2 regular season record, the team’s best record since going 10-4 under Sonny Lubick in 2002.
The two sides spoke over the phone on Saturday, leading to Foley’s trip out to Colorado.
McEwain, who was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year on Tuesday, has a $7.5 million buyout clause. He was reportedly the Gators’ top candidate for the position.
While not a marquee name, McElwain is the offensive mind the Gators have made a requirement after struggling through four seasons of mediocre production under Muschamp, who coached his final game at Florida in last week’s loss to rival Florida State.
Colorado State is seventh in the nation with 326.3 passing yards per game while averaging 35.9 points a contest, ranking 25th among FBS schools.
McElwain, who played quarterback at Eastern Washington (1980-83), was Fresno State’s offensive coordinator in 2007 before being hired by Alabama in a similar role in 2008.
He helped lead the Crimson Tide to a pair of BCS titles before taking the job at Colorado State, where he went 4-8 in 2012 before improving to 8-6 last year.
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