After a minor hiccup, Jim McElwain will leave Colorado State to become the new football coach at Florida.
McElwain was named to the position Thursday and will take over for Will Muschamp, who guided the Gators for the past four seasons.
Florida officials, led by athletic director Jeremy Foley, flew to Fort Collins, Colorado this week to speak with McElwain and a statement from the university on Wednesday said there were "very productive conversations."
However, an issue over McElwain's $7.5 million buyout with Colorado State developed. It apparently was resolved early Thursday morning.
McElwain led Colorado State to a record of 10-2 this season and was named the Mountain West's top coach. He has amassed a mark of 22-16 in three years as the Rams' head coach.
After an eight-win season and a victory in the New Mexico Bowl last year, he was rewarded with a three-year extension through the 2019 season.
McElwain fits the profile of the offensively oriented coach Foley publicly stated he was seeking to replace the defensive-minded Muschamp. Colorado State ranks seventh in FBS in passing offense (326.3) and has averaged 497.8 total yards per game this season.
The 52-year-old coaching veteran is familiar with the SEC, having spent four seasons from 2008-11 as the offensive coordinator at Alabama. The Crimson Tide won a pair of national championships during his tenure.
Before his time at Alabama, McElwain was also the offensive coordinator at Fresno State in 2007 and also spent time as a collegiate assistant at Michigan State (2003-05), Louisville (2000-02), Montana State (1995-99) and Eastern Washington (1985-94).
[SportsNetwork.com]
