Jim McElwain: Florida suspensions have ‘hurt the locker room’
Jim McElwain hasn’t complained much publicly about the suspensions hurting his football team on the field, but apparently he has mentioned it privately.
Late in the first quarter of the Gators’ game against Tennessee on Saturday, CBS’ announcers talked about the team missing wide receiver Antonio Calloway, who is among the suspended players. That led commentator Brad Nessler to note some comments McElwain made to the announcing team in a Friday conversation.
“Jim McElwain was telling us yesterday, ‘I tried to cover it up, but it’s really hurt the locker room not having those dudes around.’ Obviously the teammates feel the same way,” Nessler said.
By “cover it up”, it seems McElwain was trying to say he hasn’t made excuses publicly. The Gators were held to 17 points in their opener against Michigan. They are playing without Calloway, last year’s leading receiver, and Jordan Scarlett, last year’s leading rusher. Both are among the nine players Florida has suspended for alleged credit fraud.
