McElwain said he has studied Harbaugh from afar for many years. Now he's picking up pointers from his new boss to use if he gets another shot to be a head coach in the future.
"I don't know if he got the wrong number and I answered," McElwain said Monday night, speaking to local reporters for the first time since taking the job. "No, I don't really know how it came about, but we got a phone call and I was obviously very excited to come and, if nothing else, get an opportunity to stand in the background and see how something is operated."
McElwain coached wide receivers for more than 10 seasons of his 30-plus-year coaching career prior to becoming an offensive coordinator and head coach.