The Zeitgeist List · coaching

UCF: a football coaching history

National Program II#50 of 138–
See UCF’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Josh Heupel
Peaked at National Program I
Built by
George O'Leary
National Program III → National Program II (+7.6)
The fall
Gus Malzahn
National Program I → National Program II (−5.6)
Right now
Gus Malzahn
the 2nd-best of UCF's 5 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1996–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)McDowellKruczekO'LearyFrostHeupelMalzahn20002020

Every coach

2021–2024
Gus Malzahncaretaker
Gus Malzahn held UCF at National Program I for 4 seasons.
National Program I
28–24
2018–2020
Josh Heupelcaretaker
Josh Heupel moved UCF from National Program II to National Program I in 3 seasons.
National Program I
28–8
2016–now
Scott Frostcaretaker
Scott Frost moved UCF from National Program III to National Program II in 4 seasons.
National Program II
24–14
2004–2015
George O'Learycaretaker
George O'Leary moved UCF from National Program III to National Program II in 12 seasons.
National Program II
81–68
2003–2003
Alan Goochshort tenure
0–2
1998–2003
Mike Kruczekcaretaker
Mike Kruczek moved UCF from Regional Program I to National Program III in 6 seasons.
National Program III
36–30
1996–1997
Gene McDowellshort tenure
10–12