Florida Jim McElwain Hire Held Up Over Buyout Per Report

Florida wants Jim McElwain, to the point the athletic department is tweeting about meeting him. But, as most expected, that $7.5 million buyout in his contract is proving to be a substantial hurdle.

Per the Orlando Sentinel:

"The biggest sticking point was McElwain’s buyout. The source said there was no team meeting with players despite reports to the contrary and CSU officials who once thought McElwain was on his way UF are unsure whether he will in fact take over as the Gators’ next coach."

Obviously, $7.5 million is not an insubstantial sum, even for an S-E-C athletic department. Add in $6 million for Will Muschamp and staff buyouts and, yeah, this coaching transition won’t be a cheap one.

Not sure what leverage Florida really has here. Getting that money and precluding poachers is why Colorado State inserted that buyout in the deal. Feels like a cash plus home and home arrangement is in the offing.