Central Michigan has hired Michigan wide receivers coach Jim McElwain as its new head coach.
Central Michigan Life beat reporter Evan Petzold was the first to report the hiring. The university confirmed the move Sunday afternoon.
McElwain will be introduced at a press conference on Monday.
“Coach McElwain recruits outstanding student-athletes and gets the best out of them. He motivates his players and holds them accountable,” athletic director Michael Alford said in a release. “He expects them to practice hard, win, go to class, graduate and be strong members of our community.
I’ve seen firsthand that Coach Mac is a proven winner and a great leader of young men. His offense while at Alabama was innovative and maximized the team’s talents. I also got to know him, his wife and family personally, and they are tremendous people.”
McElwain joined Jim Harbaugh's staff in February 2018, following three seasons as head coach at Florida.
Prior to Florida, McElwain served as head coach at Colorado State from 2012-2014, with previous assistant coaching stops at Alabama, Fresno State, the Oakland Raiders, Michigan State, Louisville, Montana State, and Eastern Washington.
McElwain has a 44-28 career record as a head coach, going 22-16 (14-10 Mountain West) in three seasons at Colorado State and then 22-12 (16-8 SEC) in three seasons at Florida. McElwain was fired as Florida's head coach in 2017 following a 3-4 start to the season.
Central Michigan fired John Bonamego as its head coach on November 23 after four seasons.
