UCF’s Gus Malzahn shakes up coaching staff after disappointing 6-7 season

In the wake of a disappointing 6-7 football season — the first losing season of his 12-year college head coaching career — UCF coach Gus Malzahn decided the Knights needed a change.

So Malzahn shook up his coaching staff by replacing his offensive and defensive coordinators.

He brought in longtime defensive assistant Ted Roof to run his defense and welcomed back Tim Harris Jr. as offensive coordinator and receivers coach.

“We went 6-7 and that’s unacceptable,” said Malzahn. “We’ve made some changes that I feel really good about moving forward.”

Roof, 60, was on the same coaching staff at Auburn with Malzahn from 2009-11 and spent the past two seasons as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma.

UCF welcomes Tim Harris Jr. back as new offensive coordinator

“We were at Auburn together and we won a national championship together,” Malzahn said.

Defensive lineman Ricky Barber met with his new coordinator and is eager to prepare for this upcoming season.

“I realize he’s a football guy, he knows football and he’s been to a lot of great places,” said Barber. “It’s my job as a player to make sure I’m in the best shape as possible and to be able to fit into his scheme.”

Harris spent two seasons on Malzahn’s staff at UCF from 2021-22 and returns to the Knights after spending last season as the running backs coach with the Miami Hurricanes.

“Tim is a guy that knows me well and knows our offense well,” said Malzahn. “He is one of the best teachers and coaches I’ve been around, and I am excited to bring him back with everything he has to offer.”

Addison Williams, who served as UCF’s defensive coordinator last season, will become the associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator in charge of the secondary. Darin Hinshaw, who served as the Knights’ offensive coordinator, will transition to…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ucf-gus-malzahn-shakes-coaching-220000171.html

Author : Orlando Sentinel

Publish date : 2024-01-26 22:00:00

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