Source: McElwain done at Florida, what next?

By Oliver Connolly and Trey Wallace

Jim McElwain is out at Florida, that much is clear. Whether it’s tonight, tomorrow or this week is unknown.

Exactly how this going goes down is murky, too.

ESPN’s Edward Aschoff reported on Saturday afternoon that Florida’s administration is examining whether they can fire McElwain with cause, for failing to disclose proof of alleged death threats. Sources have confirmed to The Read Optional that the school is prepared to pay McElwain’s buyout (well, to meet his agent Jimmy Sexton some way) regardless.

With cause, without cause, McElwain will not be back with the Gators next season.

McElwain has fallen out of favor with some of the schools top backers, who would rather dip into this year’s pool of top candidates than roll McElwain back for another year — A move that would knock down the buyout and potential build a stronger résumé to fire the back-to-back SEC East winning coach.

A strong showing on the recruiting trail (Florida currently has top classes in both the 2018 and 2019 cycles) will not be enough to save the coach his job.

For his part, McElwain has been accused of checking out — despite the recent uptick in recruiting success. He was linked to the opening at Oregon a year ago, but repeatedly rebuffed the claims. Sources tell The Read Optional that McElwain’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, had been instructed earlier this year to quietly look for an exit spot by the end of the season.

It won’t be quiet now. McElwain’s year has quickly spiralled out of control. His team has been dogged by inadequate quarterback play (again), a beleaguered offense (again), and a batch of player suspensions following an investigation into allegations of credit card fraud, initially reported by The Read Optional.

What next? Scott Stricklin begins the search to hire his first football coach at the University of Florida. It’s anticipated Randy Shannon will step in as the team’s interim coach, if McElwain is fired during the season.

Stricklin’s list (all AD’s keep a running list of coaching candidates for such moments) includes all the typical names: His old buddy Dan Mullen (Striklin was Mullen’s boss at Mississippi State); UCF head coach Scott Frost; current ESPN employee Chip Kelly; Iowa State’s Matt Campbell; Memphis’ Mike Norvell.

Sources tell The Read Optional Scott Frost is interested in the job. Some Florida power brokers have quietly lobbied for Frost behind the scenes, concerned that if they don’t strike early Frost will wind up taking the Nebraska job (his alma mater). Frost has yet to have discussions with any school. He will make his choice based on fit, not money, a source close to Frost told The Read Optional.

The same is true for Chip Kelly. Kelly is looking at fits rather than the biggest pay day. Sources tell The Read Optional that Kelly has yet to hear from either Florida or Tennessee about their potential openings. Kelly’s choice will come down to recruiting: The staff he can assemble, and the investment from the school into analysts and the overall recruiting budget. Kelly has no holdups about media obligations, as has been suggested by some.

Interestingly, sources tell The Read Optional that Kelly would be interested in the Navy job, were Ken Niumatalolo to leave during this current coaching cycle. Kelly would prefer to be back in the NFL, but he remains realistic.

Moving swiftly would free up Stricklin to begin the search process as quickly as possible without a lame duck coach. He also faces the possibility of going head-to-head with SEC East rival Tennessee as it begins its search for a new head coach. Sources have confirmed to The Read Optional reports from elsewhere that Tennessee has offered over $10 million a year to Jon Gruden. The rest of the name’s on the school’s list currently matches Florida’s besides one name— Tennessee’s list also includes Gary Patterson (TCU), Bobby Petrino (Louisville) and Jeff Brohm (Purdue).

McElwain’s tenure with the Gators has come to an end. Back-to-back trips to Atlanta were not enough to mask tensions behind the scenes, a dismal offense, and a program that has fallen apart on the field and off it.

Update: Jim McElwain has officially been let go by the University of Florida as of Sunday morning

Originally published at thereadoptional.com on October 29, 2017.