Jim McElwain's path back to the SEC isn't that surprising when you consider what he accomplished at Colorado State, and before that, his work in making Alabama's offenses some of the most balanced in the conference.

But if you want some of the most compelling insight into Florida's new coach, set aside X's and O's for a minute. Talk to the guys who played for him at Alabama and were part of those national championship teams in 2009 and 2011.

Jim McElwain transformed a sputtering Colorado State offense into a unit that ranked 13th nationally this season. Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

“Mac's greatest strength is that he's a tremendous teacher of the game,” said St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Barrett Jones, who was a three-time All-American at Alabama and played guard and left tackle during McElwain's four seasons (2008-2011) as the offensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa.

“He has a special ability to put things in terms that guys can understand. He's also great at getting guys to buy into the system and understands how to put guys in positions where they will be successful. He's an awesome coach and an even better guy.”

Jones' sentiments echo what William Vlachos, his cohort on some of those powerhouse Alabama offensive lines, said about McElwain in 2011, when the Tide's All-SEC center was finishing up his college career.

“He genuinely has his players' back and never throws you under the bus,” said Vlachos, now a graduate assistant on the Alabama staff. “He knows where he came from, an old-school kind of guy, and made things simple for us.

“He had a great mantra: 'If we're all wrong, then we're all right,' meaning if we don't identify something right or made a wrong call, as long as everyone communicates whatever call was made and everyone executes what was called, then we're good.”

But what really made an impression on Vlachos as a player was McElwain's ability to get the best out of his players.

“He knows a lot of ball, but is a genuine guy,” he said. “He understands people, and it's always about the players, never about him.”

As a tactician, McElwain has made a name for himself, particularly with his ability to adapt.

He's more of a spread guy at heart, but at Alabama he oversaw pro-style offenses that were always physical, balanced and disciplined, a requirement for any offensive coordinator of Nick Saban's.

Not that it's a revelation, but calling plays on offense for Saban isn't the easiest job on the planet. There's a reason Lane Kiffin is Saban's fourth offensive coordinator. But McElwain prospered at Alabama, and his last offense there, in 2011, was the only one in the SEC that season to average more than 200 rushing yards and 200 passing yards per game.

Also keep in mind that both of the national championship seasons with McElwain running the offense at Alabama came with first-year starters at quarterback -- Greg McElroy in 2009 and AJ McCarron in 2011. The game plan McElwain employed in the BCS National Championship to cap the 2011 season called for McCarron to come out throwing against LSU's smothering defense, and Alabama went on to win 21-0, with McCarron passing for 234 yards and keeping the Tigers off balance for much of the night.

In his three seasons at Colorado State, McElwain went back to his spread roots and revolutionized an offense that had been stagnant before he arrived, further proving his versatility as a coach and playcaller.

The Rams were held under 20 points in 20 of their 36 games in the three seasons prior to McElwain's arrival in 2012. This season, they scored more than 30 points in eight of their 12 games and averaged 35.9 points per game. The Rams rank 13th nationally in total offense (497.8 yards per game) and are third in yards per play (7.21).

Quarterback Garrett Grayson is second nationally in passing efficiency and has thrown 32 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. Colorado State's top receiver, Rashard Higgins, leads the country in yards per game (149.1) and receiving touchdowns (17).

Especially telling was how quickly McElwain turned things around in Fort Collins. The Rams had won a total of nine games in the three seasons before his hiring in 2012. They've won 16 of their past 20 heading into the bowl game.

The bottom line: Players believe in him and his system, and a big part of that is his blue-collar pedigree.

McElwain is not one of those guys who has had a football silver spoon in his mouth his whole career. He played quarterback at Eastern Washington and spent 10 years at his alma mater as quarterbacks/receivers coach from 1985 to 1994. He spent the next five years at Montana State as offensive coordinator/receivers/special-teams coach. There were also stints at Fresno State, Louisville and Michigan State and a season in the NFL as the Oakland Raiders' quarterbacks coach in 2006.

At every stop, there was a common theme.

“He's one of the most relatable coaches I've ever been around,” McElroy said. “His ability to feature players in game plans and getting players to buy in are a few of his greatest strengths. He's a diligent worker and is fiercely competitive.

“Florida Gator fans should rejoice.”