Report: Florida fires Jim McElwain

Florida fired head coach Jim McElwain on Sunday, according to college football insider Brett McMurphy. Gators defensive coordinator Randy Shannon is expected to take over on an interim basis.

McElwain reportedly met with Florida officials in the morning to discuss his future with the program.

The Gators are coming off an embarrassing 42-7 defeat at the hands of Georgia on Saturday and a controversial week for McElwain. The 55-year-old noted that some members of the team faced death threats during Florida's losing streak, but wouldn't expand on those comments when pressed.

Reports surfaced Saturday that Florida was looking into firing McElwain for cause due to the coach's inability to substantiate the alleged death threats.

Some Gators players were caught off guard by the move.

McElwain leaves the program coming off back-to-back SEC East titles, though he could never help Florida get over the hump in the conference title game. The Gators have struggled offensively and weren't able to develop a potent quarterback under McElwain.