CSU FOOTBALL

Florida AD courts Jim McElwain to be next Gators coach

Matt L. Stephens
matthewstephens@coloradoan.com

CSU appears to be on the cusp of losing its freshly crowned Mountain West Coach of the Year.

University of Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley arrived in Fort Collins on Tuesday via a private plane and met with CSU head football coach Jim McElwain about the Gators' high-profile football coaching job.

Asked if he was going to offer the job to McElwain, Foley told the Coloradoan, "I'm just trying to do a job."

Foley arrived at McElwain's home after flying from Florida to Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport, landing in Loveland shortly after 3 p.m.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that McElwain, the third-year head coach at Colorado State University and former Alabama offensive coordinator, is expected to be offered the job.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Gators have not publicly announced details of their search. Another source told the Coloradoan that if McElwain is offered, he'll accept in less than 24 hours.

Foley and a few of his top staff members, including associate athletic director Lynda Tealer, were aboard a charter flight that left Gainesville on Tuesday, landed in Joplin, Missouri, and then continued to Northern Colorado to meet with McElwain.

Foley went from the jet to a white SUV that headed to McElwain's home, making a stop at an area convenience store along the way.

If Florida plans to hire McElwain away from CSU, it could be an expensive move.

McElwain's contract includes a $7.5 million buyout clause should he resign before its term at CSU is up in 2018. Any team looking to hire him would presumably have to cover that cost, plus a sum likely more than the coach's $1.5 million annual salary.

However, there is a clause in McElwain's contract that states the university president can, but is not obligated to, reduce or eliminate the buyout in the case of "extenuating circumstances."

"McElwain shall have the right to request that the Parties engage in a good faith discussion of such Liquidated Damages amount prior to McElwain providing formal notice to the University of his decision to terminate this Agreement without cause, and in such event the University agrees to engage in such discussion, although the University has no obligation to reduce in whole or in part McElwain's obligation to pay Liquidated Damages, with an understanding and acknowledgement that time will be of the essence of coming to a final decision," the contract reads.

CSU president Tony Frank was not at McElwain's home Tuesday when Foley was there.

Florida reportedly owes former head coach Will Muschamp an additional $6.3 million after Foley fired Muschamp on Nov. 16.

As of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Foley was at McElwain's home and the plane he arrived on had not scheduled a departure from the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport.

Earlier Tuesday, McElwain was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year after guiding the Rams to a 10-2 record in his third season on the job. The Rams finished 6-2 in league play, finishing in a tie with Utah State for second place in the MW's Mountain Division.

The 52-year-old McElwain was born in Montana and spent much of his coaching career out West. But he also has NFL experience, Southeastern Conference ties and a track record of success on the offensive side of the ball.

McElwain took over a CSU program that went 3-9 for three consecutive seasons (2009-11) but has enjoyed a quick turnaround since his arrival. The Rams went 4-8 in 2012 and 8-6 last year before this season's breakthrough performance. They have wins against rival Colorado and Boston College in 2014.

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