Meet Jim McElwain: A Primer on Florida's New Football Coach
Friday, December 5, 2014 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jim McElwain has spent the majority of his 30-year coaching career outside the spotlight. A career assistant until his three-year stint as head coach at Colorado State, McElwain's most visible role previously was four years as Alabama's offensive coordinator under Nick Saban.
McElwain was muzzled working under Saban's “one-voice” policy. However, McElwain's offenses were not, helping the Crimson Tide win a pair of national titles in his four seasons in Tuscaloosa.
But don't be fooled. McElwain has a personality to go along with his prolific career as an offensive coordinator. The 25th head coach of the Gators might not be a household name in Gator Nation, but he is well-respected and well-liked by those who know him.
#182240242 / gettyimages.comThat can be a tricky combination to pull off.
He also isn't afraid to venture off the beaten path like so many coaches.
Fan interest at Colorado State had dwindled prior to McElwain's arrival. The Rams were 9-27 in the previous three seasons.
Once the Rams started to win under McElwain, students and fans started to pay more attention.
In mid-October as Colorado State prepared for a key Mountain West Conference showdown with Utah State, McElwain broke away from the office to speak to a couple of classes: Fashion Merchandising and Music Appreciation.
He impressed the professor in the Music Appreciation class by referencing The Cyrkle, a band that charted with hits “Red Rubber Ball” and “Turn Down Day” in the late 1960s. The students had no clue.
It didn't matter to McElwain. He had fun.
“There seemed to be a little bit of energy on campus and I thought that was pretty cool,'' McElwain told The Denver Post.
As for his stop in the Fashion Merchandising class?
“I knew absolutely nothing about it and of course, they laughed at what I was wearing, which obviously meant my fashion was not very good,'' he said.
The 52-year-old McElwain is headed to The Swamp. He'll be in charge of the Gators soon.
Let's take a closer look at the man who was born in Missoula, Mont., consumed episodes of “The Partridge Family” growing up, and whose perfect day is hanging out with his family on Montana's Flathead Lake eating his those legendary barbecue ribs he is known for amongst family and friends:
FAMILY
McElwain started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Eastern Washington, where he played quarterback from 1980-83. While teaching a golf class, he met Karen, his future wife. The couple has three kids – daughters JoHanna, 23, and Elizabeth, 21, and 19-year-old son Jerret.
BACKGROUND
Growing up in Missoula, Mont., McElwain's mother Marjorie and father Frank were educators. Marjorie McElwain was an English teacher who also worked at the University of Montana's ticket office. Frank McElwain was a high school coach, official and principal who passed away in 2009. Jim developed into a talented quarterback at Sentinel (Mont.) High and is one of five siblings.
HIS LAST INTRO
If you don't know much about McElwain or have never heard him speak, here is a glimpse at his introductory press conference nearly three years ago at Colorado State:
CONNECTING WITH PLAYERS
McElwain's players speak highly of his approach to the game. When Colorado State played at Alabama last season, McElwain's return to Tuscaloosa was a big story. Several Alabama players shared McElwain stories with the media, including former Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kellen Williams.
“In camp two or three years ago, he brought in a picture of a dead fish and a picture of a Charlie Tuna,'' Williams told The Anniston (Ala.) Star. “He said, 'we have too many dead fish in here,' and he put up the dead fish. Then he goes, 'I want you to be like this guy,' and he put up the picture of Charlie Tuna. Everybody broke out laughing.”
At a recent press conference to preview a big game at Colorado State, McElwain referenced such topics as Johnny Carson's monologue, Randy Jackson's role in Earth, Wind and Fire, and how the offense sometimes closes meetings with Winnie the Pooh references.
Hey, it seems to work.
“It kind of keeps us loose, but at the same time he expects us to be on point, doing what we've got to do to continue winning,'' Rams linebacker Kevin Davis told the Boulder (Colo.) Daily Camera. “Mac's definitely making it fun, but he's keeping us on point, keeping us focused.”
OFFENSIVE APPROACH
McElwain has changed his system over the years to fit his job. The Rams feature a balanced spread attack that includes quarterback (Garrett Grayson) with more than 3,700 yards passing and 32 touchdowns, a running back (Dee Hart) with more than 1,200 yards rushing and a receiver (Rashard Higgins) with more than 1,600 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns.
At Alabama McElwain relied more on pro-style offense that relied heavily on the run with 2009 Heisman winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. He was known to toss a wildcat package into the game plan on occasion. If there is a common theme, it's that McElwain has produced results.
When Saban searched for an offensive coordinator after the 2007 season, he landed on McElwain after reviewing what McElwain did in his one season at Fresno State on Pat Hill's staff. Saban and Hill had worked together under Bill Belichick with the Cleveland Browns.
The numbers: In McElwain's season at Fresno State the Bulldogs averaged 419.5 yards a game and 32.9 points a game. The previous season Fresno State averaged 338.2 yards and 23 points.
FIRST GAME AS HEAD COACH
Colorado State opened McElwain's tenure with a 22-17 win over Colorado in 2012. McElwain became the first Rams coach to win his debut since 1970.
GAME-DAY TRADITION
Before each game McElwain writes the names of his three kids on three sticks of gum. He writes his father's name on another piece of gum. He carries the gum in his pocket during every game and afterward hands the three sticks to his kids, the stick with his father's name to Karen.
“All the hours you put in, all the time you put in, you realize what it's for and what it's about,'' McElwain told The Denver Post. “It's about my family.”
FUN FACT
McElwain attended Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Missoula, Mont., and was a grade behind a famous classmate who has also done well in Colorado: former Broncos quarterback John Elway.
QUOTE FILE
“Yeah, he put up with my cooking. It was unbelievable. He actually smiled and said he liked it. I don't know if he really did or not.'' – McElwain on having former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron over one year for Thanksgiving dinner
#454486100 / gettyimages.com“The biggest thing about Coach Mac is I think he's a teacher first. He's a great teacher of the game. You can tell he really has a passion for that. And he's extremely gifted at that, just the way he breaks down offenses and helps up understand it.'' – Former Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones
“When you're building a house, the most important part's the foundation. Sometimes guys maybe want to take shortcuts to get instant results, but on the backend, your house falls down. That's not what we're about.” – McElwain on approach when he took over Colorado State program
“He was an unbelievable coach for me, not only as a player, but as a person. He just taught me a lot about life, hot to act, what to do, what not to do. He means the world to me.'' – McCarron on McElwain's influence
“From an offensive philosophy standpoint, in terms of what we want to accomplish – show balance, make explosive plays, be a good third-down team, make first downs in the red area, don't turn the ball over – all of these things were very important philosophically to Jim.'' – Saban on his interview with McElwain
*****
Editor's note: A variety of sources was used to compile this information, including The Denver Post, US Official Newswire, The Missoulian, The Anniston Star, The Decatur Daily, The Dothan Eagle, ESPN.com, SI.com, and Boulder Daily Camera.
