Nov. 2, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - In an industry where few coaches remain at a school for more than a few years, Kirk Speraw is the exception. Now in his 16th campaign at UCF, Speraw is one of the longest-tenured head coaches in the nation.
Speraw arrived in Orlando in 1993. He has enjoyed great success with the Knights, guiding the program to the NCAA Tournament on four occasions. In recent years, the Iowa native has seen UCF make an easy transition into Conference USA. The Knights have won 27 league contests since joining C-USA in 2005, good for fourth during that span in the 12-team league.
Speraw is one of just 15 coaches nationally who have spent at least 15 years at their current school. Some of the other coaches on the list include Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, Jim Calhoun of Connecticut and Gary Williams of Maryland.
The Knights are slated to open the 2008-09 campaign on Nov. 16, hosting North Carolina A&T. Season tickets are currently available. To order your season tickets today, and to learn more about the Fastbreak Club and other premium seating opportunities, contact the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000.
The inaugural UCF Postgame Madness is set for Nov. 8, following the UCF-Southern Miss football game. The free event at the UCF Arena includes a chance for fans to choose their season ticket seat location, and an inter-squad scrimmage.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Notes: Single-game tickets for the year went on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets yesterday. The Knights will play 16 regular season games at the UCF Arena in 2008-09... Speraw is scheduled to appear inside the club level at Bright House Networks Stadium tonight and meet with Golden Knights Club members. UCF hosts East Carolina for a Conference USA football matchup at 8:15 p.m.
Longest-Tenured Head Coaches in the Country
Head Coach, School (Years)
Jim Boeheim, Syracuse (32)
Dave Bike, Sacred Heart (30)
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke (28)
Don Maestri, Troy (26)
Tom Green, Fairleigh Dickinson (25)
Greg Kampe, Oakland (24)
Jim Calhoun, Connecticut (23)
Rick Byrd, Belmont (22)
Fang Mitchell, Coppin State (22)
L. Vann Pettaway, Alabama A&M (22)
Bob Thomason, Pacific (20)
Gary Williams, Maryland (19)
Dave Loos, Austin Peay (18)
Kirk Speraw, UCF (15)
Dana Altman, Creighton (15)