*UPDATE* Representatives from CSU and UF athletic director Jeremy Foley have seemed to iron out their differences regarding McElwain's $7.5 million dollar buyout Thursday morning, according to ESPN's Chris Low. *END UPDATE*
The University of Florida still very much wants Colorado State's Jim McElwain to be the next Gators head coach. However, negotiations between the two sides seem to have hit a snag.
McElwain's contract with CSU includes a whopping $7.5 million dollar buyout. Colorado State is not budging on that amount, and Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley is reportedly loathe to pay that in full.
To further complicate matters, CSU has also demanded UF pay the remaining $6 million on McElwain's contract in addition to the buyout fee. One source told ESPN that they were "pessimistic" a deal would get done after this latest impasse.
Florida AD Meeting In Person With Jim McElwain
After weeks of speculation ranging from Mike Gundy to Hugh Freeze to Chip Kelly, it's become clear that McElwain is Foley's top choice to replace Will Muschamp. Foley is so enamored with McElwain's candidacy that he even personally fly cross-country this week to McElwain's home, in order to present a head coaching offer in the flesh.
Florida is seeking an offensive-minded coach after years of ineptitude on that side of the ball under Muschamp. McElwain certainly fits that bill; he's been an OC under Nick Saban at Alabama, and his Rams averaged 498 yards of total offense per game last season.
Should the hefty buyout clause doom Florida's pursuit of McElwain, Nebraska and Michigan are both reportedly interested in his services.
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