Johnny Dawkins will be the next head coach at UCF following eight seasons at Stanford. UCF cut ties with previous head coach Donnie Jones after a 12-18 finish to the 2015-16 season. Dawkins was fired by Stanford following this past season, as well, but enjoyed some success with the Cardinal.
Dawkins twice won the NIT (2012 & 2015) and took Stanford to the Sweet Sixteen in 2014, his only NCAA Tournament appearance in eight seasons. Prior to that, Dawkins spent ten seasons as a Duke assistant to Mike Krzyzewski, including nine seasons as associate head coach. He also played for Krzyzewski at Duke from 1982-1986.
UCF has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2005 and is yet to win a NCAAT game in program history. Since joining The American in 2013, the Knights have not finished higher than 7th in conference play. Dawkins looks to give the program a much needed shot in the arm, coming into a wide open conference with a chance to make a splash.