Gus Malzahn is handing over UCF play-calling duties to Darin Hinshaw

Former Kentucky co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw returned to his alma mater in January to replace Chip Lindsey who bolted for North Carolina. Head coach Gus Malzahn gave the 51-year-old a huge opportunity.

At Big 12 Media Days on Thursday, Malzahn confirmed that he is giving up play-calling duties and will Hinshaw to call plays in the program’s first season in a Power Five conference. After spending the 2022 season with UAB, Hinshaw will have a play-calling gig. That is something the former UCF quarterback did not have at Tennessee (2010-12), Cincinnati (2013-15), or Kentucky (2016-20).

For eight seasons, Hinshaw served as Eddie Gran‘s No. 2 at both Cincinnati and Kentucky. In Lexington, some QB recruiting issues hindered the offensive operation, but Hinshaw was part of constructing one of the most consistent rushing offenses in the SEC. Now the long-time quarterbacks coach will get to run the show in a hurry-up, no-huddle scheme.

However, this is not a first for Malzahn. During his eight-year head coaching stint at Auburn, Malzahn gave up play-calling duties multiple times with Rhett Lashlee and Chad Morris getting to call plays at different points. At UCF, the former offensive coordinator that helped lead Auburn to a national title in 2010 claims to have more control.

“This is really the first time that it was all my decision and not getting encouraged and all that,” Malzahn said during an interview with ESPN.

The Knights are 18-9 under the former SEC head coach and will be facing tougher competition in the Big 12. UCF is entrusting Malzahn to get this program to the next level. The long-time head coach believes relinquishing play-calling duties is the needed step for this program in Orlando.

Darin Hinshaw will get a chance to make a big splash in the Big 12.