Michigan officially hires former Gators head coach Jim McElwain

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Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines have added the final addition to their coaching staff, bringing in former Florida head coach Jim McElwain and making it official on Saturday.

McElwain commented on the move to Ann Arbor, saying he’s excited to help Michigan get better.

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He replaces Dan Enos as Harbaugh’s 10th assistant after leaving for Alabama last month after a mere 17 days on the job. Currently, Michigan lists its offensive coordinator as Tim Drevno and its passing game coordinator as Pep Hamilton.

Michigan didn’t have any immediate comment on Wednesday night regarding the hire.

Though an official job title has yet to be specified, Harbaugh had previously indicated that he intends for his team’s offense to improve and get up to the level of their strong defense.

“On offense right now, we’re going through a self-scout period,” Harbaugh said last week. “We’re looking at ways to get our offense up to where our defense is. All those assignments are yet to be determined.”

McElwain joins the Wolverines after coming off 22-12 record during his nearly three years as Florida’s head coach. In his first season in Gainesville, he led the Gators to a 10-4 record and an SEC title, and was awarded the title of SEC Coach of the Year. A 9-4 record the next season followed, before the two sides mutually parted ways seven games into the 2017 season, receiving a $7.5 million buyout. His Gators lost to the Wolverines 33-17 in the season opener in Arlington, Texas.

McElwain also had stints as head coach of Colorado State from 2012-2014 (where he put up a 22-16 record), and as the offensive coordinator at Alabama from 2008-2011 (winning a pair of national titles) and Fresno State in 2007. 

Additionally, he served as Michigan State’s assistant head coach, receivers coach, and special teams coach from 2002-2005 under John L. Smith. He also coached wide receivers at Louisville, Montana State and Eastern Washington.

He spent one year with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, serving as quarterbacks coach.