Following practice on Wednesday Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain finally addressed and took responsibility for his comments on Monday that he, his family and players have received death threats.
“It’s just something that came up and obviously was on my mind,” McElwain said. “It doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t make it right to air that laundry.”
Speaking on the SEC teleconference conference earlier Wednesday McElwain did not back away from his statement Monday, rather explaining that he
“Well, I think one of the things for those who know me and people that kind of realize I’m a real passionate guy,” he said on the teleconference. “And a guy there’s obviously letting exactly what I tell our people not to do is allow one or two misguided remarks get to you. I feel bad sometimes for being open and being honest, and yet at the same time I’ve seen this movie; I understand it. And if it gets to a point, we’ll go from there.”
When he spoke with reporters after Wednesday’s practice his tone and tune were different. McElwain addressed the situation in his opening statement. He told reporters that the incident he mentioned Monday had happened “in the past” but it came back and stuck with him.
He’s also used it as a teachable moment for himself and the players.
“It’s exactly what I tell our guys not to do,” McElwain said. “Let something like that, you know, creep into the focus on what you’re here to do. Ultimately, you know, that’s really what it is.”
Monday, McElwain responded to an innocuous question by digressing into a rant that led to him saying he, his family and players have received death threats. He was pressed for more on the statement, but declined to continue talking about it. Later Monday the University Athletic Association tried to have McElwain tell them, behind closed doors, more information. He apparently declined which led them to release a statement.
“The University Athletic Association takes the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and families very seriously,” the statement from Steve McClain read. “Our administration met with Coach McElwain this afternoon and he offered no additional details.”
McElwain says he spoke with Athletic Director Scott Stricklin and Laird Veatch (Executive Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs)
“I don’t really quite understand what even the statement was. We visited with Scott and Laird and, yeah, they were really good and supportive.”
McElwain’s tone and demeanor Wednesday night was contrite. He sounded like a coach who, although it may have taken longer than it should have, realized the reverberations that his decision and words Monday caused and realized he was in the wrong. He hopes to move on from that choice on Monday now and return his attention, and your attention to the game on Saturday.