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Gators coach Jim McElwain bio

 
Published Dec. 5, 2014

. Biography

Jim McElwain

Age: 52

Family: wife, Karen; children, JoHanna, Elizabeth and Jerret.

Playing experience: QB at Eastern Washington from 1980-83 where he earned a bachelor's degree in education.

Coaching experience: McElwain spent three seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama. He has coached at the NFL and collegiate levels, including a one-year stint with the Oakland Raiders and stops including Louisville, Michigan State and Fresno State.

Prominent players coached: Louisville WR and Super Bowl XXXIX MVP Deion Branch; Alabama RB and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, now with the New Orleans Saints; New York Jets 2011 draft selection QB Greg McElroy; Alabama WR Julio Jones, a first-team All-American and 2011 first-round draft selection of the Atlanta Falcons; Alabama Doak Walker Award winner and Indianapolis Colts RB Trent Richardson.

Why he fits: He knows the SEC, can recruit in Florida, and his offenses score. Since 2013, the Rams were held under 20 points only twice, by Alabama and Utah State. During that span, Florida was held to 20 or fewer 11 times. Colorado State made the second-biggest improvement among Division I-A schools in scoring offense from 2012 to 2013 — from 100th to 22nd.

Antonya English, Times staff writer