It's not often, as a proud Colorado State University alumnus that I get to write about the goings-on at my alma mater. Frankly, it's a rare thing for something involving CSU to occur that's particularly interesting on a national level, let alone within the venue of sports. So I certainly find it at least somewhat ironic that the first time the national spotlight turns to my little school in Fort Collins, Colorado, it's actually because some people in Florida have decided to fly there.
But hey, this is the world we live in, and the University of Florida football program is just a little bit more popular and has a history with just a bit more success than that of Colorado State.
So, without further ado...it seems like the Florida Gators and athletic director Jeremy Foley, after making overtures to a number of big-name candidates, like New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly and Mississippi head coach Hugh Freeze, have set their sights on a lesser-known, but very much up-and-coming candidate currently coaching football from the foothills of the Rockies - Colorado State University head coach, Jim McElwain.
"Colorado State coach Jim McElwain has emerged as a leading candidate for the Florida vacancy, multiple sources told Yahoo Sports Sunday," Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports reported.
"McElwain and Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley discussed the Gators job Saturday night, sources said."
McElwain, 52, is about to finish his third season at the helm of CSU's team. The Rams are currently 10-2 on the year, and have taken significant steps forward in each of McElwain's previous two seasons, finishing with a record of 4-8 in 2012 and a record of 8-6 and victory in the New Mexico Bowl in 2013.
McElwain, who has a $7.5 million buyout, spent 2008-11 in the SEC as part of Nick Saban's staff at Alabama, and filled both the offensive coordinator and receivers coach roles as part of a Crimson Tide team that won two national championships, according to The Denver Post.
His current Rams team has the nation's number two quarterback in passing efficiency in Garrett Grayson and the nation's leader in receiving yards per game and receiving touchdowns in Rashard Higgins.
McElwain also spent 2006 as the quarterback's coach of the Oakland Raiders under Art Shell. Shell, McElwain and many other coaches were dismissed after the season.
