ORLANDO – UCF men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins has agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the Knights through the 2028-29 season, Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir announced Thursday.
UCF Announces Three-Year Extension for Johnny Dawkins
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“I want to thank President Alexander N. Cartwright and Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir for their continued belief in our vision for UCF men’s basketball. What we accomplished this season was a testament to the hard work of our student-athletes, coaches and staff as we continue establishing ourselves in the Big 12. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and excited about where this program is headed. UCF has become home for my family, and I’m committed to continuing to build a program that our university and fans can be proud of.”
Johnny Dawkins“Johnny has led our men’s basketball program with outstanding poise and class. The stability and continuity he has provided have been, in my opinion, a major reason for the program’s growth. As a result, we’re excited to extend his contract. He is a strong leader and an outstanding role model for our young men. Johnny is highly deserving of this extension, and we’re excited about the future of UCF men’s basketball under his leadership."
Terry MohajirThe 2025-26 campaign was one for the record books as the Knights averaged 80.7 points per game, the highest scoring average under Dawkins and the most by a Knights team in the Division I era. An 11-game winning streak, spanning from Florida A&M on Nov. 11 through Oklahoma State on Jan. 6, marked the longest winning streak of the Dawkins era and the program’s longest since the 2010-11 season.
The Black and Gold also tied a program record with three Top 25 wins, defeating No. 17 Kansas, No. 11 Texas Tech and No. 19 BYU. Those victories brought Dawkins’ career total at UCF to 12 wins over ranked opponents.
Those victories helped the Knights earn a No. 10 seed in the Big Dance where they faced No. 7 seed UCLA in Philadelphia, a narrow 75-71 loss to the Bruins. The NCAA Tournament berth was made even more impressive considering the unprecedented roster overhaul the Knights navigated entering the season. UCF was one of only two teams in the country, alongside Miami, to reach the NCAA Tournament without returning any scoring production from the previous year’s roster.
About UCF Athletics
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.