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Florida Gators try for a no-tolerance policy on penalties

 
Gators coach Jim McElwain inherits a program that  was among the nation’s most penalized.
Gators coach Jim McElwain inherits a program that was among the nation’s most penalized.
Published Sept. 1, 2015

GAINESVILLE — Jim McElwain wasted no time in addressing one of his biggest concerns with his new team.

In his first meeting with the Gators after accepting the head coaching job in December, he made two things apparent: Florida has been committing too many penalties; and it must stop immediately.

"It's definitely clear," defensive lineman Bryan Cox Jr. said.

If it wasn't then, McElwain has made it obvious over the past few months. A defensive lineman — McElwain wouldn't say who — drew a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct during the team's second scrimmage last month. The punishment was swift and severe: McElwain sent him off the field.

"There's no excuse," McElwain said. "There's absolutely zero."

Perhaps McElwain's lack of patience is required because of the abundance of flags he saw on film. The Gators averaged 7.5 penalties per game during Will Muschamp's four years as head coach. That was the worst figure in the SEC and sixth-worst in all of Division I-A.

UF was penalized 3,089 yards under Muschamp — also last in the SEC, and the 12th-highest total in the country.

One of the costliest came in the final six minutes against South Carolina, with the Gators leading 17-10. Quarterback Treon Harris appeared to rush for a 19-yard touchdown, but a holding penalty wiped out the score. South Carolina blocked the ensuing field goal to stay in the game.

"With all the penalties we had, we're giving teams the game …" defensive back Jalen Tabor said. "If we don't get that penalty, the ballgame's won."

Instead, the Gamecocks pulled out a 23-20 overtime win. A day later, UF fired Muschamp.

McElwain has tried to fix those issues quickly by instilling the same discipline system he had at Colorado State, where his Rams matched the national average with 5.8 penalties per game. A careless personal foul penalty results in being benched, even during practice.

"To me, it's one of the most selfish acts somebody can do, because it's (about) them, and it's usually because you're not going as hard as the other guy," McElwain said. "So now you're going to be Mr. Tough Guy or whatever. … And then, because of your actions, you hurt the team. I just don't see any place for that."

There can be a fine line, however, between playing with intensity and playing recklessly. McElwain said his options are limited if a player doesn't figure out the difference quickly.

"If they continue to do it, they can continue to do it somewhere else," McElwain said. "I've been around some really good coaches, obviously, and that's something you don't see by great football teams. That's not how they act."

McElwain said his players have accepted his system, even when it results in severe punishments. UF suspended three expected contributors — defensive lineman Alex McCalister, defensive back Marcus Maye and receiver Latroy Pittman — for Saturday's season opener for violating athletic department policy.

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Although the real test will begin this week when McElwain makes his Gator debut against New Mexico State, players said they're already seeing improvements with discipline. Practices have included fewer shoves and reduced contact after whistles.

"A lot of the things that we did last year are cut short," defensive back Duke Dawson said. "You don't see a lot of guys after the play throwing hits. He really preached to us doing the right things. I feel like everybody bought into doing that."

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.