Jim McElwain hospitalized after suffering seizure, to miss MAC Media Day

Central Michigan football coach Jim McElwain is in the hospital after suffering a seizure on Sunday, he tweeted Monday evening. The coach also provided an update on his status, saying he will miss MAC Media Day on Tuesday as a result.

“On Sunday I had a seizure,” McElwain wrote. “I’m doing fine and all the tests have come back good. The doctors have asked that I stay in the hospital for a few days, so I won’t be at MAC Media Day. I know Coach Akey, Lew and Jamezz will do a great job. I can’t wait to get camp started.”

It remains unclear what caused the seizure.

A former Florida Gators coach from 2015-17, McElwain took over Central Michigan in 2019. Since then he has amassed a 20-13 record, including a 9-4 finish and Sun Bowl victory this past season. He won MAC Coach of the Year during his inaugural season after leading the Chippewas to an 8-6 record. He was also the SEC coach of the Year his first season in Gainesville. Prior to his time at Florida, he was the head coach for Colorado State. His total record over nine season is 64-41.

Additionally, Jim McElwain served as the offensive coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama from 2008-11. During that time he helped lead the Crimson Tide to two national championships and coached quarterbacks Greg McElroy and AJ McCarron. McElwain has also coached at Louisville, Michigan State and Michigan, and was briefly in the NFL as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2006.

Central Michigan is coming off of a MAC West division title and will hope to defend that this season. Hopefully McElwain will return to health quickly so he can be on the sidelines to see that goal through. The Chippewas are set to open the 2022 season on Sept. 1 against Oklahoma State.