It's Official: McElwain Out As Florida Gators Coach

The University of Florida is parting ways with coach Jim McElwain, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin announced Sunday evening. The university said the decision was mutual. The two parties are currently negotiating terms of separation., the school said.

Multiple sources have reported that Stricklin asked McElwain to step down and accept a figure less than the $12.76 million buyout in his contract.

Randy Shannon, the Gator's defensive coordinator, will serve as interim coach throughout the remainder of the season, the university announced.

“We want to thank Coach McElwain for his efforts in leading the Gator football program,” said Stricklin. “We are confident Coach Shannon will provide the proper guidance to the players and rest of staff during this time and we will begin a national search for the next head coach.”

Citing sources, FootballScoop.com was the first to report early Sunday that McElwain was out as head coach. The decision comes nearly a week after McElwain said his players and their families had received death threats, but would not provide details.

On Saturday, the Florida lost 42-7 to Georgia to drop the Gators to 3-4 on the season. The Gators have lost three in a row to LSU, Texas A&M, and Georgia. The three wins were Tennessee, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt.

Jim McElwain finished 22-12 during his two-plus seasons as head coach and was hired as the 25th head coach in UF history on Dec. 4, 2014. McElwain won 22 games and two Southeastern Conference Eastern Division titles (2015, 2016) during his tenure at the University of Florida. Florida's highest AP Poll ranking under McElwain was No. 8, a mark the Gators reached after their win over Missouri in 2015.

McElwain was the subject of criticism earlier this week for his comments about receiving death threats. Saturday, rumors began to swirl about McElwain’s future and Florida exploring the possibility of firing him with cause. Stricklin denied the rumors Saturday afternoon.

At his press conference after the game, McElwain said he had heard the rumors of his possible firing earlier in the day Saturday.

"Obviously, I was made aware of all the stuff today as I walked into [our] pregame meal. I hadn't heard anything of that nature. I talked to them (the team) immediately right there. That was the first I had heard of it."

Asked about his job security, McElwain said Saturday: "At the end of the day, we were brought here to win. We haven't done it. My concern is not about my job. my concern is with these players and my staff. We have a fantastic staff. That's the concern. It isn't about me."

The coach said Saturday he wouldn't be surprised if the Georgia loss was his last game as Gator coach:

"Nothing in this world surprises me. I know what I was brought here to do. Look, we haven't been good on offense, I get it. We've won a few games, but haven't won enough. We haven't won a championship. That's real and I take full responsibility for it. Like I said, my concern has to do with those players. Seeing them in that locker room and seeing that staff that has worked so hard to get to even where we are right now. That's what's hard, the unknown."

Read the Footballscoop.com story here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Image via AP Photo/John Raoux