Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher wishes Jim McElwain "nothing but the best" after McElwain ended his tenure as the Florida Gators' head coach on Sunday.
Fisher, whose team is off to a 2-5 start this season, said McElwain's midseason exit is another example of "the way our world" works based on the need for the "instant gratification" of winning in sports.
"It's a shame because Jim McElwain is a heck of a guy and a really good football coach. I've known Jim ... and he's been very successful in a lot of ways. He's led them to two SEC [East] titles. I don't know what that's about, but it's the nature of our world today," Fisher said on Monday as FSU prepares to host Syracuse on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.
"I don't think in sports, but its pro sports, college sports, politics _ everything is instant gratification. The ups and downs, they want you to make changes,and you move on. That's the way our world is today and it's a shame. It really is.
"I wish Jim and his family nothing but the best. He's a really good guy. And their players. That's tough on the players, too, now. Very tough."
UF announced it reached an agreement with McElwain to part ways following a 35-point loss to rival Georgia and a tumultuous week that included McElwain saying he received death threats he declined to discuss further with his employers. Defensive coordinator Randy Shannon took over as the Gators' interim head coach.
Fisher and McElwain may not have a personal relationship, but they were both offensive coordinators under Nick Saban before becoming head coaches.
FSU has beaten Florida in six of the past seven games, including four in a row. McElwain was at the helm of UF's program during the past two contests.
The teams will meet again on Nov. 25 in Gainesville, Fla.
