In a surprising turn of events, Gus Malzahn has stepped down as head coach of the UCF Knights to take on the role of offensive coordinator at Florida State.
Malzahn’s departure from UCF marks the end of his four-year tenure, a period during which he described the Knights as the “future of college football.” However, his exit comes after a challenging season, highlighted by a dismal 5-13 record in conference games since UCF joined the Big 12. Despite a relatively strong start in his coaching career, the veteran coach now transitions to a new role at Florida State, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Malzahn, known for his strategic football mind, maintained an undefeated record in his first 11 seasons as a college head coach. Nevertheless, he leaves UCF after consecutive losing seasons, a stark contrast to his previous record of success. The Knights struggled significantly, particularly in the latter half of this season, losing eight out of their last nine games.
His move to Florida State reunites him with Mike Norvell, with whom he previously worked at Tulsa. The timing of his resignation complicates the Knights’ immediate future, especially with the early signing period for high school athletes and the NCAA transfer portal opening soon. This transition poses critical challenges in retaining and rebuilding the team’s roster, a task already difficult given the expected graduation losses.
Numerous players, including junior kicker Colton Boomer and true freshman quarterback EJ Colson, have already indicated their intentions to transfer, adding further strain to the team’s structure. The looming uncertainty may lead to a mass departure of young talents from the program, compounding the effects of Malzahn’s resignation.
Despite the challenges, Malzahn’s tenure saw notable recruitment successes, such as bringing in more than 40 new players ahead of the 2024 season, including former Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson. Jefferson’s tenure at UCF, however, was marred by inconsistent performances, leading to multiple quarterback changes throughout the season. These adjustments, while initially promising, were unable to reverse the team’s overall fortunes.
As the season unfolded, the Knights endured a significant decline after a promising start, losing five consecutive games in October. This period of instability led Malzahn to dismiss defensive coordinator Ted Roof and hand over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr.
While UCF managed a significant victory against Arizona, the momentum was short-lived. Losses to West Virginia and Utah without taking a lead further cemented the Knights’ worst record since 2015. Amid speculation about his job security, Malzahn denied any plans to retire, emphasizing his commitment to improving the team.
Gus Malzahn’s decision to leave UCF for Florida State brings a significant shift for both programs. His departure introduces challenges for the Knights as they navigate recruiting periods and seek new leadership, while Florida State looks to benefit from his offensive expertise. The coming months will be crucial for UCF to stabilize and rebuild.
Source: News-journalonline
