Florida Gator head coaches Jim McElwain and Mike White spoke on Tuesday evening to a group of University of Florida students at the University Auditorium on campus. The crowd was engaged and the coaches seemed to be comfortable and in good moods as they took questions from the crowd as well as questions from moderator Ted Spiker.
McElwain never turns down the opportunity to show off his charismatic personality, or quick wit, and on Tuesday night. McElwain sat with his legs crossed , his signature no socks look, and talked about everything from how he met his wife, to being roommates in college with Fox Sports radio host Colin Cowherd.
Coach Mac wasted no time in thanking the students for an amazing 2015 season and thanked them for, “bringing The Swamp back.”
One brave student asked McElwain about renewing the instate rivalry with the University of Miami, a question that many Gator fans ask almost every offseason. McElwain’s answers left those in attendance hopeful and excited to see if the two will meet again in the near future.
“It’s not something we are dodging,” said McElwain.
It’s no secret that McElwain and his staff have been hitting the recruiting trail hard, and many believe this to be the most important part of the job for a head coach. McElwain expressed the importance of recruiting that sums up its importance in his profession, “It’s recruit daily or die.” And McElwain is doing just that.
When McElwain hits the recruiting trail, he is looking for players that know how to represent the University of Florida. McElwain highlighted not only how a player carries himself on the field, but also on social media.
“Social media doesn’t go away,” he said.
The biggest laugh of the night was after Mike White mentioned the basketball team’s free throw shooting woes. McElwain chimed in with a gem, “Is that kind of like kicking a field goal.”
A light hearted, yet educating night for the students that were in attendance on Tuesday, but Coach Mac echoed what every Gator fan knows to be true and maybe the most important quote of the night, “It’s great. To be. A Florida Gator.”