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Jim McElwain is retiring as a college football head coach after leading Central Michigan to a 16-14 win over Western Michigan on Tuesday night, he announced on Wednesday. McElwain, 62, has had a lengthy career in the sport. His 40-year run includes stops at Florida and Colorado State, among others.
McElwain joined Central Michigan in 2019 and led the Chippewas to two bowl wins before hanging things up after three consecutive losing seasons. McElwain is a part of an NCAA investigation regarding from former Michigan staffer Connor Stallions, who was present on CMU's sidelines last year for a matchup against Michigan State. According to a statement from the university , McElwain will serve as the program's head coach until a new hire is made, including Central Michigan's season finale against Northern Illinois on Nov.
30. He will then move to a new position as special assistant to the athletic director, Amy Folan. Matthew OHaren-Imagn Images McElwain rose to prominence with Alabama under Nick Saban as offensive coordinator.
He was a part of two national championships before taking the Colorado State job in 2012. McElwain spent three seasons with the Rams before accepting the role at Florida, where he led the Gators to two SEC East titles. McElwain was fired in 2017 after a 42-7 loss to rival Georgia.
Excluding the upcoming game against Northern Illinois, McElwain holds a 33-35 record in six seasons with the Chipps and an overall head coaching record of 77-63. "My wife Karen and I have cherished every moment of our football journey," McElwain said in the statement. "We want to express our deepest gratitude to the all the players who have welcomed us into their lives, and the incredible coaches and support staff at every stop along the way—it has been a true privilege to work alongside all of them.
The lifelong friendships that were created mean the world to us." "We are especially thankful for our time at Central Michigan," he continued. "Mount Pleasant and the CMU community hold a special place in our hearts, and we look forward to continuing to be a part of this program and this great community.
Thank you for the unwavering support and the unforgettable memories.".
