GAINESVILLE, Fla. — FACEBOOK: Follow Action Sports Jax
STORY: McElwain says he was wrong to cite threats
The Florida Gators have parted ways with football coach Jim McElwain after a bizarre week in which he told the media he was getting death threats -- and then lost to rival Georgia by 35 points.
The Gators are 3-4 in 2017, including three straight losses. Two of the losses came by three points or less.
McElwain, 55, was in his third season as Florida coach and won back-to-back SEC East titles before this season.
McElwain was trusted to fix the offense three years ago when he came to Gainesville from Colorado State. Before that, McElwain was a highly-regarded offensive coordinator at Alabama.
Despite this, Florida has struggled to move the ball on offense in 2017 and has been unable to develop a quarterback to lead the program.
McElwain did have some bad luck with suspensions and injuries this season. Action Sports Jax has learned that McElwain’s relationship with the administration was strained over the last year.
That was more clear this week when McElwain told the media his family had received death threats and then chose to not elaborate to school officials or the media.
The Gators, who are expected to formally address McElwain's firing on Monday, play at SEC rival Missouri on Saturday at noon.