Report: Florida Is 'Discussing' If It Can Fire Jim McElwain With Cause
The Gators are reportedly discussing if they can fire McElwain with cause.
The University of Florida is reportedly "discussing" if it can fire head coach Jim McElwain "with cause."
ESPN's Edward Aschoff and Mark Schlabach report that the Gators believe they can fire McElwain without having to pay his buyout following the coach's "death threat" comments.
McElwain said at a press conference earlier this week that his family had received death threats, but he refused to expand on that. He also reportedly did not divulge any details when speaking to Florida's administration.
After failing to find any evidence to substantiate claims made by McElwain this week that family and players received death threats, Florida administrators have worked to see if McElwain's allegations were enough to relieve the university from paying McElwain's full buyout of $12.9 million if he were to be fired.
Sources told ESPN that they believe the university has enough cause to fire McElwain without having to pay his buyout. Sources also said that if McElwain were to be relieved of his duties, defensive coordinator Randy Shannon would be asked to be the team's interim coach.
The Gators' administration denied reports surrounding this issue earlier today.
Florida is currently getting blown out by Georgia.
