Jim McElwain to Michigan as OC/WR Coach

Submitted by DJMich23 on
Per Sam Webb via Twitter. Still some ambiguity on his specific duties as the 10th assistant. Edit: Offensive Coordinator/Wr Coach (Per UMbig11.)

Mpfnfu Ford

February 14th, 2018 at 9:50 PM ^

Florida’s offense was a disaster and he was a pathetic recruiter. I.....I don’t understand at all. How could anyone watch Florida’s patented “nobody knows how to run a route” offense inspire you to hire that guy to coach your WRs?

1VaBlue1

February 14th, 2018 at 10:23 PM ^

You should look at more of his resume than just a failed HC job at UF.  Dude was a stellar OC for Saban before his machine started up.  In fact, McElwein was a big part of the staff that got that machine up and running.  He was also very good at CSU.  His offense is nearly identical to what Harbaugh runs.

His problem at UF was largely lack of talent on offense, specifically at QB (see: Michigan).  Off the field, he handled a poor internet meme poorly.  And the whole death threat thing...  I do believe that some jackass jerk probably tweeted or emailed something like that.  I also believe that the UF AD wanted him gone, by then, so bad that they jumped on anything that could work.

He'll be fine here.  The pressure of the top job is gone and he can start on rehabbing his name.

Mpfnfu Ford

February 15th, 2018 at 2:17 PM ^

When they went away from his philosophy. Almost anything works when you've got Bama level talent, as we found out when Nuss came here to Bama and what Florida learned the hard way with Nuss/McElwain reunion in Florida. And on top of that, his success as a coordinator was a lifetime ago in football years. The game has changed significantly in 7 years.

His Colorado State success was more or less the result of getting a bunch of transfers from guys he helped recruit at Bama who couldn't get playing time so they went to play for him, and even then we're talking about a guy who went 8-4 and 10-3 at a Mountain West school.

He's a guy who is an absolute abortion on the recruiting trail. An utter disaster in every way, to the point that HS coaches in Flordia basically fired him.

If McElwain had failed at Florida because his defense sucked or his teams were undisciplined or he had lots of off the field problems, I could handle hiring him as an assistant, similar to Lane Kiffin at Alabama. But that's not why he failed: he failed because he's a terrible recruiter and his offenses sucked. He couldn't develop QBs or WRs. 

Boomer519

February 15th, 2018 at 1:05 AM ^

Past success as an OC maybe? You can be a good coordinator and bad HC at a power 5 school. Look at these 16/13/12/3 class rankings for Alabama in 05/06/07/08 when McElwain arrived. He wasn't dealing with the top classes from 08-11 like Bama is bringing in now. He took them from 7-6 52nd ranked Offense in the country to 12-2 and 6th with John Parker Wilson. Also in a smaller situation look at what he did at CSU. This is a great hire for what it is.

Perkis-Size Me

February 14th, 2018 at 9:51 PM ^

Any WR coach is better than no WR coach at all. He performed pretty well at Bama and helped lay the foundation for their death machine. So I’d give him a shot.

I mean honestly, what does our offense have to lose?

Wolverine62bc

February 14th, 2018 at 9:52 PM ^

Think the pros are: Experienced play caller Knows SEC and, more importantly, Bama’s system - what’s that intel worth? Senior already in OC role for college ranks, natural to lead 2 others, that make a lot of pesos, but Jim’s will be shared between 2 unis To get back to P5 HC, a “natty” would be in order - Indy or just the playoffs will not be enough Helps Roundtree and other GAs Cons: Recruiting, oh well - coach just got 2 more that’ll be road warriors, need a good play caller, as well Short UM shelf life - well, get us the hardware first Maybe he can “close” on some southern - Florida recruits? Maybe not Likes ocean fish, oh well - shark meat is coarse and one has to have an acquired taste Nuss-we’ve been there and saw what happened to 2 of our beloved-guilty by association Go Blue!

Decatur Jack

February 14th, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^

"Experienced play caller"

Isn't Harbaugh already that? Isn't Pep?

"Knows SEC and, more importantly, Bama’s system - what’s that intel worth?"

OMG are we playing Bama now??

"Senior already in OC role for college ranks, natural to lead 2 others, that make a lot of pesos, but Jim’s will be shared between 2 unis"

Wut?

"To get back to P5 HC, a “natty” would be in order - Indy or just the playoffs will not be enough"

We said the same thing about Nuss.

VauntedD

February 14th, 2018 at 9:54 PM ^

If this is true, I am glad. I am disappointed In the fanbase for the shark incident as it was proven in court to be a retired New York police officer in the photo. Too many people worry of only ruining an individuals reputation.

FLwolvfan22

February 14th, 2018 at 9:55 PM ^

I like this hire, a good guy who was given a raw deal which happens in the world of big time sports. Still even here in this forum asshats are giggling about shark nonsense. F sakes, grow up, let it go.

MGoShorts

February 14th, 2018 at 9:58 PM ^

Resume speaks for itself if you remove the Florida tire fire.

But... Jesus, Florida's offense was terrible.

Not sure if I should be excited or drink myself to sleep.

bronxblue

February 14th, 2018 at 10:02 PM ^

Well, that's a hire you can make.

He'll be fine.  He'll also be at Michigan for a year or two tops, then move on to an OC or even head coaching job somewhere else.  We'll see what he can do with the WRs; that area certainly needs some development.  But if you can pull in a former HC at a top program as your 10th coach, that's not a bad pull.  And I will admit that his offenses before Florida were legit good.

Kschultz28

February 14th, 2018 at 10:11 PM ^

I like the hire. Now we just need 2 more things to consider the offseason a success despite the down year in recruiting: Shea’s confirmed eligibility and Calvin Anderson.

cbs650

February 14th, 2018 at 10:14 PM ^

Folks need not get so worried about his offense at Florida because he will be running JH offense. No matter who the OC is, the offense is always JH offense. 

wildbackdunesman

February 14th, 2018 at 10:25 PM ^

The best part about of this hire is that the Michigan DNR is pitching in for half his salary. 

Something about the Asian Carp will be too afraid to enter the Great Lakes with him around.

The FannMan

February 14th, 2018 at 10:25 PM ^

He isn’t the one blocking. You could have Jesus as OC and it would not matter if the QBs are getting literally blasted into next season.

And he maybe, allegedly humped a dead shark in a picture that certainly wasn’t him.

We’re an incredible defense with a tire fire of an OL and a coaching staff that is looking more disorganized every day. This guy doesn’t move the needle for me.