Jim McElwain can coach, and some in Gator Nation just now discovering that fact

Jim McElwain took over a Florida program which was in the worst state it had been since pre-Steve Spurrier, but the 5-0 start by the Gators shouldn’t come as big a shock to as many as it seems.

The Gator Nation spoke loudly and finally got their wish in the waning days of the 2014 season – Will Muschamp was gone, and the Florida program needed to be redeemed.

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The fans and supporters of the program in Gainesville probably had their hopes up for the next Nick Saban or Les Miles. A seasoned, decorated coach who would bring shiny rings into the locker room and wave them in front of players, promising them that they could own such dazzling bling if they followed his script.

When it was announced that the Gators had hired Jim McElwain away from Colorado State, a stunned hush came over the Gator Nation. Who was this guy? He’s not a name. He’s from a flash-in-the-pan program out west, and he’s proven nothing.

Were they just describing Urban Meyer, or what?

The reaction of those who really study coaches and the rise and fall of programs under their watch was more temperate. Jim McElwain can coach, and coach damn well. He’s had success in every stop he’s made, whether it be as a position coach, coordinator, or head coach.

Much like the aforementioned Meyer, McElwain cut his teeth in some big time programs — Michigan State, Alabama, Louisville — before landing the job as Colorado State’s head coach. The year before McElwain came to Fort Collins, the Rams were a pitiful 3-9 team with only one win in the Mountain West Conference. Then, in 2012 a huge turnaround took place.

Florida Gators /

Florida Gators

The Rams went 4-8 and upped their conference record to 3-5, including an opening week win over in-state rival Colorado. Then in 2013, the Rams were 8-5, with a 5-3 MWC record, and were champions of the New Mexico Bowl, taking out Washington State.

2014 was the real eye-opener and proof that McElwain knew how to build a winning program and recruit against much bigger and richer schools. He led the Rams to a 10-3 record (going 6-2 in the MWC), and had the program ranked in the top 25 late into the season.

Say it again…this guy can coach.

When McElwain was hired by Florida I talked to a lot of Gator fans to get their feelings on the new coach, and the answer was almost universal, even from the most die-hard supporters.

“Well…we’ll see what happens”

It seemed as though no one in the Gator Nation was ready to proclaim that their school had found a great coach to lead this program, and I even got the feeling that many looked as him as a bridge until the next big-name coach was ready to make a jump.

Silly Gators.

Now Florida is 5-0, and sitting in the catbird’s seat in the SEC East. They have two huge games upcoming against LSU and Georgia…win those and the Gators are likely on their way to Atlanta to play in their first SEC Championship game since 2009.

Jim McElwain has been able to do everything Will Muschamp couldn’t, and he’s done it by knowing how to utilize the talent he has on his roster, not using it as an excuse for losing. He walked into a powerhouse SEC program that was loaded with defense and lacking for some playmakers on offense and flipped the Muschamp script.

His passion and heart were on display when he berated running back Kelvin Taylor on the sidelines for making a “throat slash” gesture after scoring a touchdown. Perhaps McElwain’s reaction was over the top or more appropriate for the locker room, but the message was received and respected, despite some who called for the coach’s suspension.

Why people are surprised is beyond me. The guy was beating Power-5 teams at Colorado State with 2 and 3-star recruits. He was putting up gaudy offensive numbers with Garrett Grayson, a 3-star dual-threat quarterback who was only offered a scholarship by Colorado State (and who subsequently was drafted by the New Orleans Saints after being molded and polished by McElwain).

Sep 12, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain reacts against the East Carolina Pirates during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

What’s so surprising about being able to have success with 4 and 5-star players? You just have to know how to coach, how to scheme, how to avoid unfavorable matchups on the field and to take advantage of the ones in your favor.

So now you know, Gators…Jim McElwain can coach. He’s got two better than average quarterbacks in Treon Harris and Will Grier, with some other promising talent coming behind them. He’s shown in the comeback win against Tennessee and utter domination of Ole Miss that there is plenty of offense to be found on this roster if you just know how to dig for it.

Remember, you weren’t sure if Urban Meyer was going to pan out either.

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