The Colorado St. Rams held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to introduce Jim McElwain as the new head football coach for the Rams. McElwain is currently finishing his tenure as the offensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide, who will be playing in the BCS National Championship this coming January.
CSU Athletic Director Jack Graham and university President Tony Frank both spoke at the press conference, detailing their search process, which included assistance from a clinical psychologist and an outside consulting firm. They also noted that Coach McElwain will begin recruiting immediately until Dec 19, which is when all universities must stop recruiting for the year.
McElwain showed no lack of confidence during the press conference, which aired simultaneously on 9News.com. Of greatest interest to the incoming coach was a change in the football program's culture, saying he wanted the program to employ a mentality that declares: "We are Colorado State, and here we come."
Despite his claim that he planned to win every game in the 2012 season, he also offered a more realistic assessment of the state of Rams football, saying, "I look forward to this challenge. I know we have a long way to go."
Coach McElwain also praised the passion of the Jack Graham and President Frank, saying, "I've never talked to a president who's more proud of his faculty and of the people who make this place great."
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