Updated: McElwain confirms Collins will be named Temple's head coach
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Jim McElwain confirmed reports Tuesday that Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins will be named Temple’s head coach.
"Obviously, the news of the day. I think I've been the most popular guy in coaching because Coach Collins, we're really excited about the opportunity for him and his family at Temple," McElwain said Tuesday. "It's a place that's really done a great job, and he'll carry that on. He's a guy that's meant a lot to us, as you guys know. One of the first guys that I hired, and yet he's not the only one on our staff that's been contacted. Yet, that's kind of cool.
"People taking note as far as what we're doing and how we're going about it. I'm really excited for him moving forward. Obviously, it just kind of happened. As a coach, you prepare for these things no matter who it is."
McElwain said he is unsure whether Collins will coach the defense in Florida's Outback Bowl matchup with Iowa on Jan. 2 in Tampa.
"Obviously as a coach, you make plans for all your guys should something happen," explained McElwain. "We've got some things already in the works. But in the meantime we'll kind of visit with Geoff as far as the bowl plans moving forward. How that's going to work and I'll be able to let you know as we meet on Monday, I guess. But I will say this: I'm really excited. Those opportunities. And then it's an opportunity for us as well. That's something you always look to do and we've got a plan moving forward. So, we're excited for him."
Collins, 45, who arrived at Florida from Mississippi State two years ago, will now replace Matt Rhule, who left Temple to accept the head coaching job at Baylor.
Florida’s defense has ranked in the top 10 nationally under Collins over the past two seasons, but is set to lose a number of pieces on that side of the ball to graduation and the NFL Draft during the offseason.
The move now may shake-up UF's staff, as Jim McElwain will apparently now look to fill his first coordinator departure since accepting the UF job in December 2014. Collins was the highest paid assistant on UF's staff, making $900,000 this season with a retention bonus in his contract of $150,000 due in February were he to remain on staff.
With Collins on the move, expect Gators co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Randy Shannon to be mentioned as a candidate who could be promoted to fill Collins' vacancy. McElwain said Shannon is "absolutely" an option for Florida's defensive coordinator vacancy.
"We’ve got a lot of options, and we’ve already discussed them here," McElwain said. "Obviously, this isn’t the first time Geoff’s name has come up or Nuss’ name or Randy’s name or Coach Rumph’s name, Tim Skipper’s name. So, we’ve planned for all of those scenarios.”
Stay tuned with InsidetheGators.com, as we have more on this breaking story.