For the first time as the Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain will have to make a new staff hire because of an assistant coach leaving for a promotion. Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins was offered and accepted the head-coaching job at Temple.
“I think I’ve been the most popular guy in coaching because Coach Collins, we’re really excited about the opportunity for him and his family at Temple,” McElwain said on Tuesday. “It’s a place that’s really done a great job, and he’ll carry that on. He’s a guy that’s meant a lot to us, as you guys know. One of the first guys that I hired, and yet he’s not the only one on our staff that’s been contacted.”
McElwain wouldn’t reveal on Tuesday if Collins would coach in the Outback Bowl on January 2.
“In the meantime we’ll kind of visit with Geoff as far as the bowl plans moving forward,” he said. “How that’s going to work and I’ll be able to let you know as we meet on Monday (12/19).”
Collins isn’t the only coach that is garnering interest. Randy Shannon was a name that was rumored to be circulating at FIU, FAU and USF before those schools made hires. Running backs coach Tim Skipper has been rumored and linked to the Fresno State defensive coordinator job.
“Obviously, this isn’t the first time Geoff’s name has come up or Nuss’ name or Randy’s name or Coach Rumph’s name, Tim Skipper’s name,” said McElwain. “So, we’ll plan for all of those scenarios.”
The Gators could have a lot of turnover coming on defense with as many as nine starters potentially leaving for the NFL. With a lot of young players needing to fill those places, hiring from within could help the Gators from a continuity standpoint. Florida has Randy Shannon already on staff as a co-defensive coordinator. McElwain didn’t name Shannon as the defensive coordinator for the bowl game.
“As a coach, you make plans for all your guys should something happen. We’ve got some things already in the works. But in the meantime we’ll kind of visit with Geoff as far as the bowl plans moving forward,” McElwain said. “How that’s going to work and I’ll be able to let you know as we meet on Monday, I guess. But I will say this: I’m really excited. Those opportunities. And then it’s an opportunity for us as well. That’s something you always look to do and we’ve got a plan moving forward.”