![Jim McElwain [Image by University Athletic Association, Inc.|Wikimedia Commons| Cropped | CC BY-SA 4.0 ]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/28/660x290/b_502x220x82/jim-mcelwain-image-by-university-athletic-association-incwikimedia-commons-cropped-cc-by-sa-40_1660671.jpg "Jim McElwain [Image by University Athletic Association, Inc.|Wikimedia Commons| Cropped | CC BY-SA 4.0 ]")
On Saturday, Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin had to come out and quash rumors that the school was working on buying head coach Jim Mcelwain. However, this will do nothing to dispel the belief that McElwain is on the hot seat, especially after the team's embarrassing home loss to SEC rival Georgia Bulldogs.
Stricklin's statement on the buyout rumors
In the statement that AD Scott Stricklin released this morning before the team's game against Georgia he plainly stated that any such rumors regarding McElwain's future were poppycock.
He said that: “No one representing the University of Florida or our athletic department has had any conversations with Coach McElwain or his representatives regarding a buyout of his contract.” The rumors originated from Florida alumnus and South Florida-based sports lawyer Darren Heitner.
Source: Boosters have been called to pool $ in anticipation that Gators will soon be hiring new head football coach
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) October 28, 2017
Source: Gators AD has statement already drafted no matter the outcome of UGA game..
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) October 28, 2017
Source: Agent Jimmy Sexton & UF have been trying to work out Coach Mac buyout, but are “miles apart.” Still working hard on it.
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) October 28, 2017
On Monday, McElwain brought up death threats following the team's last-minute 19-17 home loss to Texas A&M.
He said that coaches and players had received them following the loss but did not contact law enforcement and declined to say if he himself had personally been targeted. On Wednesday, McElwain said that he was wrong to bring up things that “happened in the past.”
Georgia hands Florida big loss
Entering today's game against No.3 Georgia, the Gators were 3-3 (3-2 SEC) having lost their last two games. With the loss, Florida is basically out of the race to win the SEC East crown. Florida came into this season with SEC title hopes, being ranked No.17 in the preseason poll after finishing No.14 last season on a 9-4 campaign.
Georiga jumped out to a 21-0 lead by the time the first quarter had ended. This was the most points the Gators allowed in the first quarter since letting Furman score 22 in week 11 of the 2011 season. Florida would end up losing 42-7, barely managing to avoid getting shut out, as they scored with 2:42 left in the fourth quarter.
Georgia now leads 21-0 over Florida in the first quarter. Twenty-one points are the most the Gators have allowed... https://t.co/0na8wHUURY
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) October 28, 2017
The Gators were outgained by 144 total yards, committed twice as many penalties and turned over the ball more than the Bulldogs. Georiga only needed to throw seven passes in the win, as they averaged 8.3 yards per carry running the ball.
Following today's loss, McElwain is now 22-12 through his third season at Florida. Based on their success in the first two seasons under him, many thought Florida would take that next step this season. Instead, they have gone backwards and must win three of their last four games to finish with a winning record and be bowl eligible.
