Report: Florida anticipating hiring new football coach

It’s been a rough few weeks for Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain and now things could be getting much worse according to a report he could be on the way out.

The 2017 season hasn’t gone according to plan for Florida head coach Jim McElwain who sit at 3-3 entering Saturday’s rivalry game with the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs. Anytime a team enters the season with expectations of a division championship and by Halloween, a bowl game isn’t a certainty, that means the coach is in jeopardy.

Despite two SEC East division titles in as many seasons in Gainesville, McElwain is reportedly not safe to remain as the head football coach of the Gators. A report from Darren Heitner says Florida boosters have been called to pool their money in anticipation of hiring a new head football coach.

McElwain has a pair of SEC East titles and carries a $12 million buyout, according to USA Today, so why would a 3-3 record mean the end of McElwain at Florida?

Update: Florida has denied any buyout talks about 3.5 hours before their game with Georgia. 

The tricky part for McElwain isn’t so much about the on-field product this year, which is disappointing, but rather what he said during the week to the media. McElwain referenced death threats when discussing the negativity surrounding the program this year. Now, that’s a shocking statement and a serious statement that should be met with a heightened level of concern. But what makes this so interesting is McElwain met with Florida administration who said McElwain offered no specific information regarding the claim of death threats.

So did he receive death threats or not? Did he fabricate the whole thing as a way to get sympathy from fans and the media? We don’t really know but the skepticism from Florida administration speaks volumes and they could act swiftly if they determine McElwain’s death threats statement wasn’t entirely factual.

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The way Florida is already distancing themselves from McElwain doesn’t speak well for his future in Gainesville and coupled with growing animosity from fans who want a change, that very well could be coming.

And if Florida does buy out the remaining $12 million owed to McElwain, one has to wonder if the university would have enough capital remaining to make a run at former Florida assistant Bob Stoops to get him out of retirement.