UCF head coach Scott Frost announced Wednesday, Jan. 8, the hiring of Jimmy Beal as the Knights’ new running backs coach. Beal brings nearly two decades of collegiate coaching experience to UCF, along with a strong reputation for developing dynamic rushing attacks.
“I’m thrilled to join the UCF coaching staff as the running backs coach and become part of such a storied program with a tradition of excellence,” Beal said. “I am grateful to Coach Scott Frost for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. UCF is a special place with a proud history of running backs, and I can’t wait to get to work with this talented group of student-athletes and compete in the Big 12 Conference.”
Beal joins UCF following a successful stint as the running backs coach at Utah State in 2024, helping the Aggies rank among the top 5 in the Mountain West in rushing with just under 200 yards per game. The ground game was led by Rahsul Faison, who rushed for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns.
Prior to Utah State, Beal served as the running backs coach at San Diego State in 2023, where the Aztecs averaged 154.3 rushing yards per game.
Prior to his time at San Diego State, Beal spent three years (2020-22) at his alma mater, Montana State. During his two active seasons there (Montana State did not compete in 2020 due to COVID-19), the Bobcats ranked second in FCS in yards per carry (5.8), third in total rushing yards (7,662), and third in rushing yards per game (262.4). Montana State rushed for over 200 yards in 20 of their 29 games, winning all 20, and surpassed 300 rushing yards in 10 contests, including a standout 439-yard game against rival Montana and a 549-yard effort versus Cal Poly.
In 2022, Beal helped Montana State to a 12-2 record, a Big Sky Conference championship, and a trip to the FCS semifinals. The Bobcats led the nation with 311.9 rushing yards per game despite starting five different running backs throughout the season. The previous year, Montana State finished 12-3 and advanced to the FCS Championship game, ranking seventh in FCS with 220.9 rushing yards per game. Beal also coached Isaiah Ifanse to second-team All-America honors in 2021 after Ifanse rushed for 1,623 yards and 10 touchdowns on 280 carries (5.8 yards per rush).
Before Montana State, Beal coached running backs at South Dakota State in 2019, where the team averaged 198.2 rushing yards per game and scored 26 rushing touchdowns. His standout player, Pierre Strong Jr., rushed for 1,018 yards in 11 games and earned third-team All-America honors.
From 2010 to 2018, Beal coached running backs at Northern Arizona, where his players earned all-Big Sky honors in eight of his nine seasons. Zach Bauman, one of his standout players, became a three-time All-American (2011-2013) and set the NAU career rushing record with 5,132 yards. Beal also helped guide Northern Arizona to FCS playoff appearances in 2013 and 2017.
Beal began his collegiate coaching career at Rocky Mountain College, working with wide receivers (2005-07) and running backs (2008). He later served as a graduate assistant at Texas State and also coached sprinters for the MSU Billings track & field team from 2007-09.
Over the course of his 19-year collegiate coaching career, Beal has coached in five Football Championship Series (FCS) playoff games and contributed to one conference championship team.
As a player, Beal started his college football career at Montana State in 2002, transitioning to cornerback in 2004. He completed his playing career at Rocky Mountain College, earning team MVP and most valuable running back honors as a senior in 2006.
Beal holds a degree in art education with a minor in coaching from Montana State and a master’s in sport management from MSU-Billings.