Florida Coaching Rumors: Colorado State's Jim McElwain Is "Leading Candidate" To Replace Will Muschamp

The Florida Gators have set their sights on a highly-regarded up-and-coming coach...but he might surprise some Gators fans. According to Yahoo! Sports' Pat Forde, Colorado State's Jim McElwain is a leading candidate for the Florida job.

McElwain, 52, has completely transformed Colorado State since taking over in 2012. The Rams were Mountain West doormats when he came in, but McElwain had them 8-6 and winning the New Mexico bowl in just his second year in charge. In year three, Colorado State is 10-2 and ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2003.

McElwain worked for Louisville, Michigan State, Fresno State and the NFL's Oakland Raiders before taking over as Alabama offensive coordinator in 2008. Working under Nick Saban, McElwain and the Tide won national titles in 2010 and 2012, earning him the CSU HC job.

According to Forde, McElwain's name "may be at the top" of AD Jeremy Foley's list, with Ole Miss HC Hugh Freeze also in the picture. McElwain fits Foley's requirement of getting a coach with a history of success on offense, and while Colorado State might be a long way from the SEC, McElwain is one of the hottest properties in the coaching game right now and won't be available for long.

More: Top 10 Candidates to Replace Will Muschamp As Florida's Head Coach

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