Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain to retire after this season

Jim McElwain, who has been coaching in college football for nearly four decades, announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season. The 62-year-old has been the head coach at Central Michigan since 2019 and before that was head coach at both Florida (2015-17) and Colorado State (2012-14).

“My wife Karen and I have cherished every moment of our football journey,” McElwain said. “We want to express our deepest gratitude to the all the players who have welcomed us into their lives, and the incredible coaches and support staff at every stop along the way—it has been a true privilege to work alongside all of them. The lifelong friendships that were created mean the world to us.”

“We are especially thankful for our time at Central Michigan. Mount Pleasant and the CMU community hold a special place in our hearts, and we look forward to continuing to be a part of this program and this great community. Thank you for the unwavering support and the unforgettable memories.”

While the Chippewas have been struggling the last few years, McElwain led the team to a 9-win season in 2021 that included a Sun Bowl victory over Washington State. It was the program’s first bowl win since 2012 and their most single-season wins since 2009.

CMU is 4-7 (2-5 MAC) this year and will close things out on November 30 at Northern Illinois.

credit to Central Michigan Athletics for the image