Ever since USA Today’s Dan Wolken released a report Monday linking Jim McElwain to the Oregon head coaching vacancy, a lot has been said on social media and on message boards about the rumors.
On Wednesday after the Gators’ practice, McElwain set the record straight.
“It’s always interesting this time of year and how whatever comes out,” McElwain said Wednesday, three days before Florida squares off against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
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“No, I haven't heard from Oregon and, you know, the things that get thrown out there at times, I don't know how it gets linked sometimes. And I guess slow news day. I've got my hunch there might some recruiting things behind it. I don't know, but we got that taken care of. A lot of time on the phone last night obviously. And yet, at this time of the year, I can remember even those years I was at Alabama, it was every year Nick was going to go to the NFL or whatever it was, right? You know, it's part of what you deal with. And as you guys know, I probably don't take that stuff too serious."
McElwain continued to express that he’s happy where he’s at in Gainesville.
“Look, I’ve got a heck of a job,” McElwain said. “In case anybody checked this is the University of Florida. We’re playing in what they call the SEC Championship game. It really hasn’t crossed my mind.
“Here’s what’s a good thing, and I’ve talked about it before, here’s what’s great we’re at a place where people care. I’ve been at places where you were hoping that people cared, right? That’s part of the gig. We all go through it as coaches, and yet you hear more than I do. I just know we’re doing one heck of a job in what we’re trying to do building the organization in the direction we’re headed. To answer you quite frankly, I don’t know what they’re saying.”
McElwain was later asked during his brief press conference about the process of building a program to compete with the likes of Alabama and other top-tier schools.
“Here’s the great thing, I’ve been able to be part of that blueprint and see what it takes - the commitment, the alignment from everyone in the organization, in the building, you name it, from the top down committed to excellence in everything that you do to help your players be successful,” McElwain said. “You know what, we’re getting there and that’s a great thing.”
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