In Jim McElwain’s first five years as Central Michigan’s head coach, the Chippewas have been just above .500.
They’ve reached two bowl games during that time. But in the last two years, they’ve endured losing seasons. They hope to get back to a bowl game and be near the top of the MAC standings in 2024 with McElwain coming back.
Here’s more information about him.
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What’s Central Michigan Head Coach Jim McElwain’s Salary?
Jim McElwain agreed to a five-year deal during the 2022 offseason which will end after the 2026 season. He made $1 million in total pay in 2023, according to USA Today.
Jim McElwain’s Coaching History
| Years | Team | Position |
| 2019-present | Central Michigan | HC |
| 2018 | Michigan | WRs |
| 2015-17 | Florida | HC |
| 2012-14 | Colorado State | HC |
| 2008-11 | Alabama | OC/QBs |
| 2007 | Fresno State | OC/QBs |
| 2006 | Oakland Raiders | QBs |
| 2003-05 | Michigan State | AHC/WRs/ST |
| 2000-02 | Louisville | WRs/ST |
| 1995-99 | Montana State | OC/WRs/ST |
| 1987-94 | Eastern Washington | QBs/WRs |
| 1985-86 | Eastern Washington | GA |
What’s Central Michigan Head Coach Jim McElwain’s Record?
Jim McElwain is 73-56 in the FBS as a head coach. He’s gone 29-28 at Central Michigan from 2019-23.
McElwain was 22-12 at Florida from 2015-17. He also went 22-16 at Colorado State from 2012-14.
McElwain is 3-2 overall in bowl games.
How Old Is Central Michigan Head Coach Jim McElwain?
Jim McElwain is 62 years old.
Central Michigan Head Coach Jim McElwain’s Background
McElwain, the 2019 MAC Coach of the Year, has a good amount of experience as a head coach. He’s also worked in multiple levels of football, including the pros.
After playing quarterback at Eastern Washington, he started out as a graduate assistant there (1985-86) before coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers for EWU (1987-94). He then was an offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach, and special teams coordinator at Montana State (1995-99). He also coached wide receivers and specials teams at Louisville (2000-02) and Michigan State (2003-05) while also being an assistant head coach at Michigan State.
He then moved up to the NFL, working with quarterbacks for the Oakland Raiders in 2006. But he returned to the collegiate level a year later and was an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Fresno State in 2007.
He quickly went to Alabama, where he was an OC and QBs coach from 2008-11 before he got his first head coaching job at Colorado State from 2012-14. He was the Mountain West Coach of the Year in his final season there.
He then was the head coach at Florida from 2015-17 and then coached wide receivers at Michigan in 2018 before going to Central Michigan.
