In a move widely compared to Chip Kelly’s jump from UCLA head coach to Ohio State offensive coordinator last year, UCF head coach Gus Malzahn stepped down as the head coach at UCF to become the offensive coordinator at Florida State. Malzahn was firmly on the hot seat after going 4-8 in 2024, UCF’s second season in the Big 12. He gets a new start at FSU, while the UCF football coaching search will begin.
The two prior coaches, Scott Frost and Josh Heupel, went on to land high-profile jobs after their time at UCF. Which direction will the Knights go this time? If you love the Knights, or just want to know who will call the shots for UCF football in the future, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at Knights247, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Central Florida.
The Knights247 experts are providing on-the-ground updates on every development surrounding Malzahn’s departure and the future of the Purdue football program, including insights from Stephen Leonard, who has deep-rooted ties around the UCF community, as well as other 247Sports national writers and analysts such as Brad Crawford and Cooper Petagna. Get all the inside scoop on the football program, plus VIP intel on UCF football, basketball, recruiting and more. Plus get access to the Citronaut Channel premium message board where you can connect with other UCF fans and insiders.
And right now, Knights247 is offering 50% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at Knights247 already has a list out of several potential candidates on and there are some surprising names on the list. Head to Knights247 now to see them all.
Top UCF football coach candidates
One name the Petagna has identified as a potential target is USF head coach Alex Golesh. After his predecessor Jeff Scott won just four games combined in three seasons, Golesh has guided the Bulls to 13 combined wins in two seasons. Now they are in line for a second straight bowl appearance after previously missing the postseason four straight times before his arrival.
Golesh was the co-offensive coordinator at UCF under Heupel in 2020 before following him to Tennessee. Golesh called the plays for the Vols from 2021-22, including for the 2022 season when the Vols were playoff contenders and quarterback Hendon Hooker was in the Heisman Trophy mix before tearing his ACL that season.
With his ties to the program and experience in the region, Golesh could be a natural choice to jump from the Group of Five to this Power Four program. See more candidates at Knights247.
How to get insider UCF coaching staff search updates
The rest of the list includes some shocking names, including a Super Bowl-winning head coach and a big-name former Power Four coach with direct ties to the program. You can only see who them are at Knights247.
Who are the top candidates in the UCF football coaching search, and which Super Bowl-winning coach could be a fit? Go to The Knights247 to see their UFC coaching hot board and more, and find out.
And reminder, Knights247 is offering 50% off an annual VIP membership as a coaching search special, so subscribe now before it’s too late.
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