Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain will retire at season's end, the school announced Wednesday.
At 4-7 on the season, Central Michigan is off this week before wrapping up their 2024 campaign at Northern Illinois on Nov. 30. Afterward, McElwain will move into a special assistant to the AD role within the CMU athletics department.
"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."
The decision to retire was McElwain's own, noted CBS Sports, who first reported the news. The 62-year-old exits the game as the subject of an NCAA investigation into Connor Stalions's presence on the home sideline during CMU's date with Michigan State last season.
McElwain entered coaching as a graduate assistant at Eastern Washington in 1985. He would later win two national championships as the offensive coordinator at Alabama from 2008-11, as well as two SEC East championships in his two full seasons as the head coach at Florida.
"Coach McElwain and his wife Karen have meant so much to the Central Michigan community," AD Amy Folan said. "He has brought pride and excitement to Mount Pleasant and our football program and we look forward to his contributions to the department in other ways in the years ahead. We are grateful for his service and mentorship to our student-athletes. We wish both Jim and Karen the very best in their well-deserved retirement from coaching and we are glad that they will continue to help us."
In all, McElwain owns a 77-63 head coaching record at Colorado State, Florida and Central Michigan, where he has been the head coach since 2019. The Chippewas have won or shared two MAC West crowns under his watch, peaking with a 9-4 mark and a Sun Bowl win in 2021.
In addition to his head coaching stops, McElwain coached at Montana State, Louisville, Michigan State and Fresno State, and spent one season with the Oakland Raiders.
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