Jim McElwain buyout is major issue for interested schools
Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain is considered a top candidate for a number of high-profile jobs across the country, but the buyout clause in his contract may cause some schools to hesitate.
As Terry Frei of the Denver Post notes, McElwain’s contract with Colorado State runs through the end of 2018. In order to get him out of that contract, another football program would have to pay $7.5 million.
McElwain is believed to be a candidate for the Florida job, but is he worth the price tag that is attached to him? Frei also pointed out that Florida will have to pay Will Muschamp $6.3 million to terminate his deal, unless the Gators coach truly is “stepping down” from his position.
That means Florida would have to pay nearly $14 million to hire McElwain away from Colorado State — before factoring in an actual contract for the 52-year-old to coach the Gators.
We get the draw with McElwain. He has turned a mediocre Colorado State team into a 10-2 squad in his first three seasons as a head coach. He was also the offensive coordinator for some phenomenal Alabama teams and seems to have a great personality. But is he worth purchasing for $7.5 million? We shall see.
