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Michigan Football: Keep an open mind about Jim McElwain

By Chris Peterson

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 5: Head Coach Jim McElwain of the Florida Gators on the sidelines during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gators 31-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 5: Head Coach Jim McElwain of the Florida Gators on the sidelines during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gators 31-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Some Michigan football fans don’t seem to be thrilled about the hire of Jim McElwain, but at this point, we should keep an open mind.

The job of wide receivers coach/offensive coordinator at Michigan football has drawn plenty of interest. The Wolverines had a coach, Dan Enos, who eventually went to Alabama after a few weeks on the job.

That left it open again and recently, Michigan football interviewed Cam Cameron and former Florida head coach Jim McElwain for the job. Now, the Wolverines have made it official. They offered the job to McElwain and he accepted. And it sounds like is going to take on the role of offensive coordinator.

If that’s true, then I am all for it. I think Tim Drevno is a decent coach, but his time as the offensive coordinator needs to end. Let him focus solely on the offensive line or maybe let him take over as run-game coordinator.

The reaction so far has been mixed. Here is a post by Maize and Brew that relays some of the sentiments why some fans are against the move.  

It’s easy to see both sides of it. At Florida, McElwain’s offense weren’t good. As the post by Maize and Brew outlines, the Gators ranked outside the top 100 each of McElwain’s four season as head coach. However, he still won some games and at least got the team to an SEC Championship Game.

Michigan Wolverines Football
Michigan Wolverines Football /

Michigan Wolverines Football

McElwain also was the offensive coordinator at Alabama for two national championships. He also did a pretty good job at Colorado State and had two offenses rank in the top 20 nationally. Just like Jim Harbaugh, who had a rough season in 2017, the guy didn’t forget how to coach.

It’s hard to imagine he will be worse than Tim Drevno and after some self-scouting, there is definitely a reason why Michigan is making this move. It seems the Wolverines want to incorporate more spread concepts and if Shea Patterson is the starter, they should.

McElwain is familiar with that. However, he is also familiar with pro-style systems. Just look back to his Bama days. It’s also hard to judge the hire solely based on his time as head coach. Some guys are just better off as assistants.

I understand why some fans are skeptical, but it has a chance to be a good move. He’s an experienced coach with national title experience. He also knows how to recruit. And at the very least, Michigan football fans should keep an open mind about it.

Next: Top 15 Michigan quarterbacks of all time

Who knows, hiring McElwain might just be what the offense needed. That and Patterson playing quarterback.

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