Kirk Callahan enters his third year on the UCF coaching staff in 2014. He was hired as the Knights[apos] defensive backs coach in February 2012, and appeared in eight games for UCF from 2003-06.
Callahan had the pleasure of coaching UCF[apos]s first defensive Associated Press All-American at the FBS level (since 1996) when Jacoby Glenn received the honor in 2014. The cornerback pulled in seven interceptions and had 11 break-ups on the year, which also allowed him to be voted the American Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
The 2014 defensive backs also featured seniors Clayton Geathers, Brandon Alexander and Jordan Ozerities. Geathers started 52 straight games in Black and Gold, and was on the all-league first team, while Alexander saw his name on the second team. Their efforts helped UCF post a 9-4 record, reach the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl and win its second straight conference title.
A healthy mix of veterans combined with FWAA Freshman All-American Glenn to form a strong secondary in 2013 as the Knights went 12-1. The historic season also witnessed UCF finish No. 10 in the country after it won the American Athletic Conference title and defeated Baylor in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Glenn would be named to The American[apos]s first team, with Geathers picking up a spot on the second team. Overall, the defense held 10 of its 13 opponents to under their scoring averages throughout the 2013 campaign.
The UCF secondary received several accolades during a 2012 season which witnessed the Knights capture the Conference USA East Division, a win in the Beef [apos]O[apos] Brady[apos]s Bowl and a 10-4 record. Kemal Ishmael was voted as the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year, A.J. Bouye earned a spot on the All-C-USA Second Team and Lyle Dankenbring received Academic All-America honors.
Ishmael and Bouye each had three interceptions on the year, with Bouye becoming the third player in UCF history to have a fumble and interception return for a touchdown in the same season. Bouye[apos]s 111 interception return yards ranked fifth in single-season history.
The duo was able take their talents to the next level when Ishmael was selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by Atlanta, while Bouye signed a free-agent deal with the Houston Texans.
Before coming back to Orlando, Callahan was a defensive graduate assistant at Florida from 2010-11. While with the Gators, he helped guide a defense to a No. 7 national ranking in passing defense in 2011, as well as a No. 8 mark in total defense. Florida closed out 2010 by topping Penn State in the Outback Bowl, and then defeated Ohio State in the Gator Bowl the following season.
Prior to his time in Gainesville, Callahan was on the UCF staff as a student assistant in 2007. He also was a graduate assistant at North Carolina in 2008 and 2009.
A native of Seffner, Fla., Callahan graduated from Armwood High School where he played for his father, Sean, and lettered all four seasons. Callahan received Tampa Tribune All-Hillsborough County First Team honors as a senior in 2002. He also was a Florida Sports Writers Association Class 4A All-State Honorable Mention pick. That year, he collected six interceptions and returned four for touchdowns, tying Deion Sanders[apos] state record.
Callahan is a 2008 graduate of UCF, earning his bachelor[apos]s degree in physical education. He was a teammate of current Knights[apos] tight ends/special teams coach Mike Buscemi from 2005-06.
Coaching Experience
UCF, 2012-Present
Defensive Backs
Florida, 2010-11
Defensive Graduate Assistant
North Carolina, 2008-09
Graduate Assistant
UCF, 2007
Student Assistant