Atlanta out of reach, McElwain reaches the end of the line
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* Uncensored Sound Off: Harsh reaction to latest loss
* Five Fast Thoughts: Feels like the end of the McElwain era
* Instant Analysis: Georgia runs wild, thumps Florida 42-7
* Alley: Florida vs. Georgia game thread
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Taken at his word, Saturday was the first time Florida head coach Jim McElwain learned of chatter surrounding his potential exit as the story broke in the press.
“Obviously, I was made aware of the stuff right before we walked into pregame meal and that was the first time I had heard anything of that nature,” McElwain said. “I talked to (athletic department officials) immediately right there, and we’ll see, that’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Rumors of a coaching change made the jump from rumor mill gossip to legitimate news Saturday when a Gridiron Now writer predicted Florida-Georgia would be McElwain’s last game with the Gators and sports attorney Darren Heitner tweeted from his verified account that the coach’s buyout was being negotiated. The stories forced Florida to issue an official statement denying any buyout discussions had taken place.
McElwain’s body language, and even his choice of words, showed a coach who is defeated and has realized he is at the end of the line.
Saturday was his Missouri. The point of no return is in the rearview mirror.
For McElwain, there is no recovering from a dreadful month of October which has included three consecutive losses and a self-created scandal.
The biggest question moving forward appears to be whether Florida will have to pay a buyout of at least $12.5 million buyout (five years at $2.5 million per year plus any pro-rated portion of the remaining 2017 season) or if it will fire McElwain for cause over his controversial death threat remarks earlier in the week. According to an ESPN report, Florida officials found no evidence to support the third-year coach’s claims made at his Monday press conference.
Facing questions about his job status, McElwain acknowledged he has yet to do what was asked of him. Even asked directly if it would surprise him to be fired tomorrow, McElwain said it would not.
“Nothing in this world surprises,” McElwain said. “I know what I was brought here to do. Look, we haven’t been good on offense. I get it. We’ve won a few games, but we haven’t won enough, haven’t won a championship. That’s real. That’s life. That is this business, and I take full responsibility for all of it. There’s no doubt.”
McElwain has a tendency to reuse certain lines. He’ll be using those lines again in the near future.
In the past, when McElwain has been asked about fans and media critics, he has gone on the defensive and pointed to the all important city in the SEC, Atlanta. Florida won the SEC East and made it to the SEC Championship Game in each of the coach’s first two seasons. Saturday night in Jacksonville, however, Atlanta felt further away than the 348 miles that separate EverBank Field and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The power is shifting in the SEC East and Florida appears unwilling to sit idly and do nothing.
The UAA can deny reports of buyout discussions. McElwain can boast of good conversations with his bosses in the athletic department. Change, however, is inevitable.
When Florida loses 42-7 to Georgia and football is the secondary topic at the post-game press conference, the writing's on the wall.
McElwain knows it.
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