Florida names Colorado State’s McElwain as new football coach

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley wanted a coach with an offensive track record of success.

Foley even agreed to pay extra to get him.

After working though a sticky buyout issue, Jim McElwain left Colorado State on Thursday to become Florida’s next head coach.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the one of most powerful brands in college athletics in the Florida Gators,” McElwain said in a statement. “I’m humbled, yet very excited about the tremendous opportunity. I can’t tell you how eager I am to get to Gainesville to set a course for who we are going to be and what we will be all about.”

The Gators announced the hiring at the same time McElwain started a team meeting with players and assistants. Reporters heard a loud ovation before McElwain exited the room in tears.

McElwain agreed to a six-year deal at Florida that will average $3.5 million annually. He made $1.5 million this season at Colorado State.

“Coach McElwain was someone we targeted from the beginning of the search,” Foley said. “The more we worked through the process and did our due diligence, coupled with our meeting and conversations with him and those around him, it was obvious he is the right person to lead the Florida Gator football program.”

McElwain accepted the job after working with Colorado State to reduce his $7.5 million buyout. Florida will pay the Rams $3 million over six years. McElwain will pay $2 million over time. The Gators also guaranteed Colorado State $2 million for a game in Gainesville between 2017 and 2020.

The Gators traveled to Colorado with the belief that the buyout could and would be whittled down. But Colorado State President Tony Frank initially stood firm on $7.5 million, and the financial roadblock prompted Foley to leave Colorado without an agreement Wednesday.

McElwain, his attorney and both schools worked through the night to reach a settlement. McElwain and his family will be introduced at a Saturday news conference in Gainesville.