What Is 2017 Florida Gators football team

Overview

The 2017 Florida Gators football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Eastern Division. Coached initially by Jim McElwain, the team struggled significantly, leading to major mid-season changes.

After starting the season 0–4, McElwain was dismissed, making this the first time since 1978 that a Florida head coach was fired mid-season. The Gators finished the year with a losing record, their first since 1979, ending at 4–7 overall and 3–5 in conference play.

• Jim McElwain was fired on September 25, 2017, after a 0–4 start, becoming the first mid-season coaching change in program history
• Lane Kiffin served as interim offensive coordinator for one game before Dan Mullen was hired as the next head coach
• The team’s only wins came against Massachusetts (38–0), Tennessee (27–21), Georgia Southern (42–0), and Tennessee Tech (59–0)
• Florida lost to LSU (17–37), Tennessee (27–21), Georgia (14–38), and Florida State (31–34) in a four-point defeat
• Home games were played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, which had an average attendance of 90,279 fans per game

How It Works

The 2017 season was defined by instability in leadership, poor offensive performance, and defensive inconsistencies. The program underwent a significant transition that ultimately reshaped its future direction.

• Jim McElwain: Hired in 2015, he led the Gators to an 11–1 season in 2016 but was fired after a 0–4 start in 2017 due to fan and administrative dissatisfaction
• Lane Kiffin: Served as interim offensive coordinator for one game after McElwain’s firing, marking a brief but notable stop before his move to FAU
• Dan Mullen: Hired on December 4, 2017, as the new head coach, bringing experience from Mississippi State and the NFL
• Offensive struggles: The team averaged just 17.5 points per game, ranking 113th out of 130 FBS teams, a major drop from 2016
• Defensive performance: Despite allowing 26.5 points per game, the defense held four opponents under 10 points, showing flashes of strength
• Quarterback play:Feleipe Franks started 10 games, throwing for 1,402 yards and 7 touchdowns, but struggled with consistency and decision-making

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 season compared to the previous two years in key statistical categories:

The decline from 2016 to 2017 was stark, particularly on offense. The Gators dropped from 30.1 to 17.5 points per game and failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2011. The defense, once a strength, regressed under pressure, especially in losses to LSU and Georgia. This season marked a low point before the arrival of Dan Mullen, who revitalized the program in subsequent years.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a turning point for Florida football, highlighting the consequences of underperformance and the urgency for program renewal. It led directly to long-term changes in leadership and strategy.

• The firing of Jim McElwain signaled a shift in expectations, showing that even recent success wouldn’t protect a coach from accountability
• Hiring Dan Mullen marked a strategic pivot toward modernized offensive schemes and improved quarterback development
• The 4–7 record was Florida’s worst since 1979, ending a streak of consistent bowl eligibility
• It exposed weaknesses in offensive line play and quarterback depth, issues that persisted into the early Mullen years
• The loss to Florida State (34–31) extended a losing streak in the rivalry, deepening fan frustration
• Attendance dipped slightly, but Ben Hill Griffin Stadium still averaged over 90,000 fans, reflecting strong baseline support

The 2017 season remains a cautionary chapter in Gators history, but it also laid the foundation for rebuilding. With Mullen’s arrival, Florida returned to competitiveness by 2018, eventually reaching the Peach Bowl in 2018 and the Cotton Bowl in 2019.