Florida announced it is not negotiating a buyout with representatives for coach Jim McElwain, knocking down a report Saturday about the embattled coach.
Agent Darren Heitner posted on Twitter Saturday, "Source: Agent Jimmy Sexton & UF have been trying to work out Coach Mac buyout, but are 'miles apart.' Still working hard on it."
The post by Heitner, an attorney and UF fan, further ignited speculation McElwain wouldn't coach through the end of the season after a bizarre week that included the coach refusing to share details of death threats he says he received when asked for more information by his employers.
"No one representing the University of Florida or our athletic department has had any conversations with Coach McElwain or his representatives regarding a buyout of his contract," UF athletics director Scott Stricklin said in a statement released Saturday. "Our focus is on this great Florida-Georgia rivalry today in Jacksonville."
McElwain's odd behavior and the Gators' 3-3 start to the season has led to questions about his future in Gainesville.
He has taken jabs at the UF administration throughout his tenure for what he has described as aging facilities. UF has since invested millions in upgrading the football complex. McElwain's players have faced extensive legal issues and his struggling offense has never come close to meeting expectations set when the offensive guru was first hired three years ago.
McElwain has noted his teams did well enough to reach back-to-back SEC title games, but fans were more concerned about regular blowout losses to Alabama and Florida State.
Amid the turmoil, UF enters Saturday's matchup with No. 3 Georgia as a two-touchdown underdog.
