An era filled with the ebb and flow of Central Michigan football is on the verge of ending. The school's announcement on Wednesday sent shockwaves through the football community as coach Jim McElwain revealed his decision to retire after the 2024 season. He will remain in his role until a new coach is appointed and will be on the sidelines for CMU's season finale against Northern Illinois on November 30.

Coach McElwain's Legacy

At 62 years old, McElwain's time on the sidelines in Mount Pleasant comes to a close with a 33-35 record over six seasons. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed his deep gratitude to the players who had welcomed him into their lives and the coaches and support staff at every stage of his career. "My wife Karen and I have cherished every moment of our football journey. The lifelong friendships we've made mean the world to us," he said.The school and the community hold a special place in their hearts, and they look forward to continuing to be a part of the program. McElwain won't be leaving Michigan entirely; instead, he will take on a new role as Special Assistant to the Athletic Director.

NCAA Investigation and Its Impact

This move comes at a time when McElwain is the subject of an NCAA investigation regarding ex-Michigan staffer Connor Stalions' perceived presence on the sidelines during CMU's season-opening loss against Michigan State in 2023. However, ESPN's Chris Low reported that his decision to retire was his own.McElwain's tenure at CMU was marked by significant achievements. He led the team to two bowl game appearances and two MAC West Division titles. In his first season in 2019, he transformed a one-win program into an 8-6 team, earning a berth in the New Mexico Bowl and MAC Coach of the Year honors. In 2021, he guided CMU to a 9-4 record and a historic victory over Washington State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, making it the first bowl win over a Pac-12 opponent in MAC football history.

Challenges and Underachievement

Despite these successes, CMU has faced challenges in recent years. The Chippewas have a 4-7 record in 2024 and have posted three consecutive losing seasons. Against rival Western Michigan, they have a 2-4 record, including a win at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Tuesday night.McElwain's four-decade career has included head coaching stops at Colorado State (2012-2014) and Florida (2015-2017), where he compiled a 77-62 overall record. His assistant coaching career has seen him at Alabama, where he was the offensive coordinator during two national championship seasons under Nick Saban (2008-2011). He has also coached at Michigan, Michigan State, Louisville, Fresno State, Montana State, and Eastern Washington, as well as a season in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders."Coach McElwain and his wife Karen have been integral to the Central Michigan community. He has brought pride and excitement to Mount Pleasant and our football program, and we look forward to his continued contributions in other ways," said CMU Director of Athletics Amy Folan. "We are grateful for his service and mentorship to our student-athletes and wish them the best in their well-deserved retirement. We are confident that our community will rally behind the search for the next chapter in Chippewa football."A national search to find McElwain's successor has already begun, and the school is committed to the continued success of its storied football program. They are confident that an outstanding leader will be found who will honor the traditions while guiding the team into the future.