The Florida Gators gave head football coach Jim McElwain a raise that makes him the highest paid coach in the SEC East.
Entering the 2015 season for the Florida Gators, fans in orange and blue weren’t entirely sure of what to expect from first year head coach Jim McElwain. Fast forward to 2o16 and the Gators are the defending champions of the SEC East and fresh off a double digit win season for just the second time since 2010.
For his work in starting to right the ship in Gainesville, McElwain is going to see some more numbers on his paychecks after the school gave him a raise that makes him the highest paid coach in the SEC East. The $750,000 raise each year makes his salary now $4.25 million each season for the rest of the contract, which runs through 2020.
Athletic director Jeremy Foley said the raise wasn’t just about winning the SEC East for the first time since 2009:
"“We wanted to make a change because of the direction of the program and his leadership. From the moment he set foot on this campus, he has steadily put into place his blueprint for the football program. His efforts have been relentless. We are very grateful to have him and his family in Gainesville.”"
McElwain held the Florida Gators through a rocky first season that included the suspension of starting quarterback Will Grier following his positive test for PED use by the NCAA. Florida finished the year with a 10-4 record, dropping their last three games to in-state rival Florida State, eventual national champion Alabama and their Citrus Bowl game against Michigan.
The Florida Gators open their 2016 season and defense of the SEC East on September 3rd at home against Mass.
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