Report: UCF offers Johnny Dawkins contract extension

According to Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68, UCF has offered head coach Johnny Dawkins a contract extension. Exact details have not been finalized but after spending one season in the Big 12 and having success, Dawkins will be rewarded by the program.

“UCF has offered Johnny Dawkins a contract extension, source told @TheFieldOf68,” Goodman said via X. “Contract details have not been finalized.”

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Expectations were not too high for UCF heading into the 2023-2024 season. Transitioning from the AAC to the Big 12 was seen as a tough move. Every single Big 12 coach voted for the Knights to finish in last place in the preseason poll, including Dawkins.

Well, he outperformed his own prediction as UCF finished in 11th place. While it might not sound like a significant improvement, they went 7-11 against conference opponents — three games better than Oklahoma State and West Virginia, who tied for last place.

Kansas was the first team to visit Addition Financial Arena as a Big 12 opponent and UCF was able to pull off the upset. Dawkins also oversaw wins against tournament teams Texas and Texas Tech, the former of which was in Austin.

After finishing with a 17-16 record, Dawkins decided to accept a bid to the NIT for the second consecutive season. UCF drew in-state rival USF but wound up taking an early exit to end the 2023-2024 season.

UCF loses Demarr Langford Jr. to NCAA transfer portal

UCF guard Demarr Langford Jr. has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3 has learned. Langford will have at least one year of eligibility remaining.

Langford began his career at Boston College, transferring to UCF ahead of last season. He came into college as a four-star recruit.

After four years of college hoops, Langford is an experienced option in the portal having played nearly 100 career games. And across his 96 appearances, Langford has averaged 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He struggles as a shooter, making just over 25% of his shots from 3 during his college career.

Langford seemed poised for potential stardom after his sophomore season at Boston College, during which he averaged more than 11 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game and made 30 starts. But it’s been downhill in the two years since. This past season with UCF, Langford averaged 1.6 points per game and appeared in 23 contests.

On3’s Andrew Graham contributed to this report