Former LSU passing game coordinator DJ Mangas takes analyst role at UCF

Former LSU passing game coordinator DJ Mangas has accepted a position as an analyst with UCF, the Knights announced Monday. He also served as an offensive analyst for the Tigers in 2019, working with quarterback Joe Burrow during their national championship season.

“Excited to be part of the family!” Mangas wrote on Twitter.

In between his two stints in Baton Rouge, Mangas served as an assistant coaching for the Carolina Panthers in 2020. The longest stay in his coaching career brief career came at his alma mater of William & Mary where he would remain from 2014-18. He began as a running backs coach for the Tribe but was promoted to offensive coordinator by the 2017 season at the age of 28, making him the second-youngest coordinator in Division I at the time.

DJ Mangas will join a UCF team set to enter its second season under Gus Malzahn, previously the head coach at Auburn where he compiled a 68-35 record over eight years. The Knights went 9-4 in Malzahn’s first season and capped it off with a victory against Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl. This will also be UCF’s last year competing in the AAC as it is scheduled to join the Big 12 by 2023. If Mangas stays beyond this year, he has the promise of competing against stronger competition.

The Knights did not specify what group Managas will work with in their announcement, but his Twitter bio states that he will be a defensive analyst. Considering that all of his prior experience — including as a player — comes on offense, this is somewhat surprising. It will be interesting to see how this switch fares for him both in 2022 and going forward.

UCF is set to open up the season on Sept. 1 with a matchup against South Carolina State.