Jim McElwain
Colorado State head coach JIm McElwain argues call while facing Hawaii in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Fort Collins, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jim McElwain's name is among several that have popped up in connection to the Florida head-coaching job, which came open when Will Muschamp was fired over the weekend.
The Colorado State head coach and former Alabama offensive coordinator addressed those rumors Tuesday in an interview with Sirius XM College Sports Nation [via CoachingSearch.com]. While first saying how much he was enjoying his time with the Rams, McElwain stopped short of denying interest in the job, saying any publicity is good publicity for his program.
"That's a good thing," McElwain said. "When things and speculation come out, one of the things I was brought here to do was to put the word of Colorado State out there. Every time there's any kind of mention, it's all led with 'Colorado State University.' You know what? That's part of the job I was hired to do."
McElwain is in his third season at Colorado State, having posted a 21-15 overall record heading into Saturday's game with New Mexico. The Rams are 9-1 this year and were ranked No. 22 in the most recent AP poll.
Any school wishing to hire McElwain would have to back up the figurative truck filled with money, however. The contract extension he signed with Colorado State in August includes a reported $7.5 million buyout.
"The way I look at that, maybe the only chance we have is maybe Bill Gates hiring me," McElwain said in August, according to the Denver Post.
McElwain was offensive coordinator at Alabama from 2008-2011, helping the Crimson Tide to a pair of national championships. His Rams visited Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2013, losing 31-6.