HOOVER, Ala. -- When it comes to figuring out what Florida's offense will look like in 2015, Jim McElwain isn't sure. The new head coach has an idea of what he'd like to see, but he doesn't know if the design floating around in his head will translate once the Gators take the field in a couple months.

"I've got an idea where I kind of expect us to be, and yet, I don't know if we're going to be there," McElwain said. "I think we're still going to search until we get all the parts in and we know the parts that are going to be there."

That can't be very reassuring to Florida fans, who haven't seen a decent offense in Gainesville since Tim Tebow manned the orange-and-blue ship back in 2009. Of course, McElwain, who only has 15 spring practices to study, would like to be further along in the development of an identity for this offense, but he has to be realistic at this point.

"As you kind of look at it, you go, 'Hmm, I wonder who these guys are going to be and how it's going to morph,'" Jim McElwain said. Kelly Lambert/USA TODAY Sports

Florida just doesn't have enough SEC-quality talent on offense to make vast improvements on the stagnant group that left the Gators sitting at the bottom of the SEC during Will Muschamp's last four years. Development could change that, but the window is closing.

"Somebody has to step up and change things," defensive end Jonathan Bullard said of the offense.

But McElwain isn't panicking. He isn't thrilled, but he isn't terrified of what the future holds for the Gators. The key is to find working parts and maximize their abilities as he tries to form some sort of offense around them. That offense could have spread elements or a power-run mentality. There could be high tempo. There could be multiple backs or two tight ends.

He doesn't know. What he does know is whatever scheme he crafts, it'll fit his players and won't be some awkward square peg-round hole disaster.

"As you kind of look at it, you go, ‘Hmm, I wonder who these guys are going to be and how it's going to morph,'" McElwain said. "That's kind of what the fun part of doing this is."

Current roster aside, McElwain's credentials indicate Florida should see some sort of offensive uptick in 2015. When he was Alabama's offensive coordinator from 2008-11, the Crimson Tide's offense never dipped below 5.52 yards per play. When he was Colorado State's head coach the past three years, the Rams' offense steadily rose from 5.42 yards per play his first season in 2012 to 7.09 in 2014.

Over the past five seasons, Florida's best yards per play in a season was 5.42 in 2011.

For Florida to see significant increase in offensive production, McElwain needs receivers Demarcus Robinson (53 catches, 810 yards, seven touchdowns) and Brandon Powell (moved from running back to receiver) to consistently showcase SEC-quality ability. Tight end Jake McGee, who missed all of the past season (leg) and was extremely limited this spring, must be a legitimate receiving threat. Kelvin Taylor must be better than 4.9 yards per carry.

Also, an offensive line desperate for bodies this spring must stay healthy and must have a developed group of freshmen to lean on.

Oh, and the team also needs a quarterback, which McElwain is still waiting to find, and players to develop around that quarterback.

"When we get into August, what I'll be excited to see is how the team moves with a different guy behind center," he said. "You've seen some talented quarterbacks that just couldn't get it done because the people around them, for whatever reason, their play was not elevated. To me, the key to that position -- it doesn't matter who you are or how you play -- it's how the people around you play while you're in there."

Today, the offense is an enigma, but there are some glimmers of hope. Powell sees it in more player-friendly play calling from offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.

"The way he runs his plays, he runs it based on his personnel, like who he has in the game, instead of just running it over and over to see if it works," Powell said. "That'll benefit a lot."

It can't be any worse.