For former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, an SEC Championship Game between Florida and Alabama brings back fond memories. After all, the last time the two teams met in the championship was in 2009, which resulted in a 32-13 victory for the Crimson Tide.
Now, six years later, the offensive coordinator for that victorious Alabama football team is the current head coach of the Florida Gators.
McElroy, currently an analyst on the SEC Network, spoke on Wednesday about this weekend’s SEC Championship Game between the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide, which features Alabama head coach Nick Saban coaching against his former offensive coordinator, Jim McElwain, now the head coach of the Florida Gators.
McElroy took time to praise Florida head coach Jim McElwain, saying that McElwain does a great job of recognizing tendencies as well as the strengths within his own team.
Having been coached by both while playing for the Crimson Tide, McElroy says both Nick Saban and Jim McElwain get the most out of their players. He recognizes that McElwain has learned how to pay attention to detail and understand the fundamentals of football from Saban.
McElroy also offered praise for Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, who was the director of player personnel at Alabama in 2007. He says Collins brings enthusiasm and excels in situational defense.
Collins’ defense ranks No. 5 in the nation in total defense, allowing an average of 283.6 yards per game and only giving up 22 touchdowns so far this season.
On the Alabama side, McElroy took time to praise Crimson Tide quarterback Jacob Coker, who he says has played well at the line of scrimmage and has handled adversity well this season.
This weekend’s game will be the eighth time the Gators and the Crimson Tide have met in the SEC Championship. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m.