Will Muschamp’s Replacement: 12 Realistic Options to Coach Florida Gators

Nov 8, 2014; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams head coach Jim McElwain walks his sidelines in the first quarter against the Hawaii Warriors at Hughes Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

9. Jim McElwain, Colorado State Rams

Seasons at Current School: Three

Record at Current School: 21-15

Overall Record: 21-15

Age: 52

It is highly unlikely that the Florida Gators would turn to another member of the Nick Saban coaching tree after the failure that was Will Muschamp, but if they were to do so, Jim McElwain clearly wouldn’t be a bad pick.

For one, he is a great offensive mind.

But most importantly, what he’s done at Colorado State is nothing short of remarkable. In 2012, McElwain inherited a program that had gone through three straight 3-9 seasons. In 2012 he went 4-8. But then they went 8-6 in 2013 and are now 9-1. A proven winner who knows how to rebuild a program is obviously the most important thing you want in a coach.

McElwain is exactly that.

The only question about him would be the offense he runs. McElwain likes to use a hard-nosed rushing attack to win games, and he’s not huge about opening up the offense. Again, that’s not what you want in the state of Florida. You want a coach who finds track stars and turns them into football players. And McElwain doesn’t fit that mold.

Combining that with being a Saban protege probably knocks McElwain off this list.

Next: No. 8 Ranked Coaching Candidate for Florida