Jim McElwain may be on his way out at Florida, according to a report on Saturday morning.
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McElwain is in his third season with the Gators, and while he did win 19 total games and two SEC East titles during his first two years after arriving from Colorado State, an inept offense and 3-3 mark to open 2017 (entering their Week 9 game vs. Georgia) has ruffled some feathers in Gainesville.
If he is fired in the coming weeks, who might replace him?
Obviously this is pure speculation because McElwain hasn't been dismissed, and if he is, it's anyone's guess which direction Florida might go. None of the following four coaches have expressed interest in a potential opening in Gainesville or have been tied to the job in any matter.
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Scott Frost
Current Position: Head Coach – UCF
Two hours down the road from Gainesville, Scott Frost and UCF are rolling, largely thanks to a powerful offense that Florida fans have been dreaming of for years.
Nebraska is the still the overwhelming favorite to land the former Huskers' quarterback but what if they, for whatever reason, don't pull the trigger on Riley, or Frost receives a more attractive long-term offer elsewhere?
The 42-year-old Frost is be the most sought-after Group of Five coach in the country, meaning Florida would need to make a gigantic offer.
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Mike Norvell
Current Position: Head Coach – Memphis
One day before Florida took the field against Georgia, Memphis racked up 557 yards of offense in a 56-point explosion vs. Tulane. Think Gators' fans would like to see that in The Swamp?
Like Frost (former offensive coordinator at Oregon), Mike Norvell is a former Power Five coordinator now leading a high-flying Group of Five offense. Though the 36-year-old is in just his second season of his first head coaching job, he'll still be fielding big offers after the season, if he isn't already.
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Dan Mullen
Current Position: Head Coach – Mississippi State
Dan Mullen's four years as Florida's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2005-08) earned him the Mississippi State job in 2009. He's brought stability to Starkville with a 66-44 record, seven-straight bowl games and four seasons with at least eight wins.
Though the 45-year-old has repeatedly stated his love for the school and his job, might he be interested in returning to Gainesville in hopes of making a title run in the less-imposing SEC East?
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Lane Kiffin
Current Position: Head Coach – Florida Atlantic
Sorry, but Kiffin has to be included.
Nine years ago during his introduction as Tennessee head coach, he proclaimed the Vols would be"singing Rocky Top all night long after we beat Florida next year."
They lost to Florida in 2009 and he left for the USC job after the season. Now at Florida Atlantic, the polarizing 42-year-old with more experience than 60-year-old coaches is watching his coaching stock soar. They enter Saturday's game at Western Kentucky on a three-game winning streak largely powered by an offense that racked up 804 yards last week.
While it's doubtful Florida would take the risk, don't dismiss the idea completely.
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