Florida Gators football coach Jim McElwain was fired Sunday afternoon.
Multiple reporters broke the news about McElwain, but the school hasn’t yet released an official statement.
Jim McElwain fired at Florida. 1st reported by @FootballScoop. Amount of buyout still TBA. DC Randy Shannon expected to be interim coach
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 29, 2017
We have learned that it is done. Jim McElwain is out at Florida.
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) October 29, 2017
Football Scoop brought more details on the situation:
Earlier this week, McElwain was the subject of criticism after he made comments about receiving death threats, and when asked to give some more details, was reportedly unable to. Yesterday, rumors began to swirl about McElwain’s future and Florida exploring the possibility of firing him with cause, and AD Scott Stricklin attempted to quiet them almost immediately.
Things are going to get very interesting when it comes to the remaining money on his contract. Florida is on the hook for more than $12 million if it’s determined he was fired without cause, and you can bet the house they’ll argue his death threats claim justified the firing.
I have Jim McElwain’s buyout at around $12.7 million, as of today.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 28, 2017
What a wild year for SEC coaches. First, Hugh Freeze gets popped at Ole Miss and now McElwain is done at Florida. I don’t think anybody saw that course of events during spring practice several months ago.
It’s just another reminder what a crazy world college football can be.