Who will replace Gus Malzahn? UCF Knights football coaching candidates

ORLANDO — Gus Malzahn has left after four seasons as UCF football coach.posting a 28-24 record with three bowl appearances, tempered by a 5-13 mark in conference play since the program joined the Big 12.

Malzahn, as first reported by ESPN’s Pete ThamelI’ll join Mike Norvellemployees in Florida State Football become the offensive coordinator and primary play-caller. With his departure, UCF became one of only two Power Four coaching vacancies on the market. North Carolina parted ways with Mack Brown earlier this week.

This makes this job one of the most desirable on the market – considering the recruiting base, the expected salary (Malzahn was set to earn $16 million over the next three years.), a recent winning history and a growing fan base eager to compete for the College Football Playoff.

So who might be interested? Here’s a look at 10 potential candidates, some more likely than others.

Who will replace Gus Malzahn? 10 UCF Coaching Candidates

UCF offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr.

Harris, the smartest choice among UCF’s current staff, is considered a potential candidate for Florida Atlantic as well as Florida International if the position becomes available. Harris called the final four games of UCF’s season, taking over Malzahn’s role, and was able to keep several newcomers and current players on the roster.

Tulane head coach John Sumrall

Sumrall, 42, is a proven winner in two Group of Five events: Troy and Tulane. He has a career record of 32-7 while leading the team. green wave to the American Athletic Conference championship game in his first year in charge. It might be too expensive to get him out of New Orleans, but he’s a rising star in the industry.

Texas State Head Coach JJ Kinne

A few weeks ago, 35-year-old Kinne might have been the favorite. However, he has reportedly agreed to a seven-year extension at Texas State that will make him the Sun Belt’s highest-paid coach. Kinne’s offense ranks sixth in the FBS in total yards (474.3 per game) and 15th in points (37.1 per game).

South Florida head coach Alex Golesh

Golesh, 40, is a familiar face – Josh Heupel’s co-OC and tight ends coach at UCF in 2020 – with proven recruiting skills in the Sunshine State. He’s led the USAF to back-to-back bowl appearances, but will he head to his mortal enemy on the eastern half of I-4?

Los Angeles Rams Senior Football Analyst Scott Frost

UCF saw unprecedented success during Frost’s short but impressive tenure during the 2016-2017 season. Knights went 13-0 in his second season, winning the national title after beating Malzahn’s Auburn in the Peach Bowl. Still, Frost, 49, went 16-31 in five seasons at Nebraska, including 5-22 in one-score games. He has been out of the college game since September 2022.

Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki

UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir earned his master’s degree from Kansas and served on both the football coaching staff (1993-97) and the athletics office (2011-12). He saw first-hand the damage Kotelnitsky’s high-volume offense can do when the Jayhawks scored 51 points and nearly rushed for 400 yards against UCF in October 2023. In Kotelnicki’s first season at Penn State, the Nittany Lions ranked 20th in offense in the FBS at 445.6 yards per game.

UNLV head coach Barry Odom

Odom, 47, has built UNLV into a new G5 contender with an 18-7 record over the past two seasons. If he could take offensive coordinator Brennan Marion — and his innovative go-go offense — along for the ride, it would make the prospect even more enticing. However, Odom went 25-25 at Missouri and was never ranked in the top 30 nationally in a recruiting class according to 247Sports’ composite grades.

Liberty head coach Jamie Chadwell

Chadwell, 47, has a winning percentage of .840 over the last five seasons – split between Coastal Carolina and Liberty. He led the Flames to a New Year’s Six game in 2023, their first in Conference USA. Chadwell signed a seven-year contract worth about $4 million per year in December 2022 and has no Power Four experience, even as an assistant.

ESPN college football analyst Dan Mullen

Mullen, 52-year-old former Florida resident Alligators the coach will have a tough time winning over some fans. But he had 10 winning seasons in 13 years in the SEC between UF and Mississippi State. USA TODAY’s Blake Toppmeyer suggested: Mullen as a strong candidate for North Carolina office.

Marshall head coach Charles Huff

Huff, 41, has regained some of Marshall’s former glory over the past four years with an overall record of 30-20, including an 8-3 record this season that began Saturday. During his time as an assistant at Alabama and Penn State, he developed several elite running backs, including Saquon Barkley, Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr.