Florida coach Jim McElwain fails to clarify death threat comments when given chance

By Adam Silverstein
October 25, 2017
Florida coach Jim McElwain fails to clarify death threat comments when given chance
Football

Image Credit: ESPN Images

It’s been two days since Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain vaguely said that death threats — and other threats — had been levied against coaches, players and their families. Despite the elapsed time period, there were just as many questions Wednesday when the topic was brought up again as there were on Monday.

Following his initial statement, in which McElwain attributed the threats to there being “a lot of hate in this world and a lot of anger,” he denied multiple follow-up questions. Later in the day, the University Athletic Association released a statement ending with a particularly odd five-word phrase.

“The University Athletic Association takes the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and families very seriously. Our administration met with Coach McElwain this afternoon, and he offered no additional details.”

It is clear that some rift has been created here. Either McElwain, another coach or one of their family members received a legitimate death threat that he’s choosing not to turn over to authorities … or he was using the term as an absurd generality when bringing up — on his own accord — fan unrest surrounding the program and its inability to show progress three years into his tenure.

Asked to clarify the situation on Wednesday during the SEC teleconference, McElwain unleashed a word salad of confusion that left more questions than it did provide answers.

“I’m a real passionate guy. … What I tell our people not to do is let one or two misguided remarks get to you,” he said. “The care I have and the passion for these players, this university and the fact that we have an unbelievable fan base — it’s great. There’s passion. When you go into that Swamp, it’s something special, and our guys feel it.

“Yeah, I do, I feel bad for sometimes being open and being honest. And yet, at the time same time, I’ve seen this movie and understand it and, if it gets to the point, we’ll go from there.”

If it gets to what point?

“When it becomes unmanageable at that point, like I said, I’ve got a lot of care and care for this program and these people,” McElwain continued. “At the same time, allowing a couple things [to] get to you, you know what, you can’t do that. And ultimately, that’s the business we’re in. We’ll move forward and get ready to go play this ballgame.”

Here’s the problem: Threats upon one’s well-being should not only become a problem when they become “unmanageable.” Nor should someone casually throw out that they are being threatened in that manner if that is not the case. It’s either one or the other, and through two press events and more than 48 hours, we do not know which is the case.

McElwain’s comments and inability to follow-up on them not only make Florida fans look bad, by proxy they hurt recruiting and are growing further seeds of distrust within the UAA.

The Gators are dealing with this mini-firestorm — created by their coach — during a week in which they are going up against a fierce rival who is a 14.5-point favorite in the teams’ biggest regular season game each year.

Not a good look. Not good timing. Not good.

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