by Gus Malzahn is resigning as head coach of Central Florida State of Florida ‘s offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the hire told the Associated Press on Saturday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Seminoles have not confirmed the move by Malzahn, who is pending a background check. ESPN first reported the decision. The Knights officially announced Malzahn’s departure in a statement released a day after UCF (4-8) ended its season with a 28-14 loss to Utah.
“We would like to thank Coach Malzahn for his contributions to our football program over the past four seasons, including our transition to the Big 12 Conference,” the school said. “We appreciate his professionalism and dedication to our student-athletes during his tenure at UCF and wish him and his wife, Kristi, the very best in their future endeavors.”
Malzahn finished 28-24 in four years at UCF, the last two ending with losing records after joining the Big 12. He coached eight seasons at Auburn. before he was fired in 2020.
Malzahn replaces offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, who was fired on Nov. 10 following a 52-3 loss at Notre Dame. The Seminoles rank 131st out of 134 in total offense and goals, averaging 15.8 points per game heading into Saturday night’s rivalry game against Florida.
The Seminoles (2-9) are down significantly since going 13-1 and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship last season.
The Knights, meanwhile, struggled mightily in Malzahn’s fourth season, largely due to quarterback issues. Four players took snaps from center as the Knights finished 2-7 in conference play. It was the program’s worst record since going 0-12 in former coach George O’Leary’s final season in 2015.
Florida State coach Mike Norvell fired Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and receivers coach Ron Dugans amid the Seminoles’ season-long skid.
