I placed the word "of" in front of Malzahn and UCF for a reason. It is foggy whether the two are committed long term.
(A) The last two UCF head coaches spent only a brief time in Orlando before moving to other programs; one obviously more successful than the other. (Gus currently has the lowest winning percentage of three at UCF. It is noteworthy that programs in the AAC improved dramatically in the last half decade, and it is arguable that Gus faced the toughest competition of the three during his time at UCF.)
(B) UCF is embarking on an incredible journey to the Power 5 where depth is tested over the course of a season. UCF is strong at several positions and serviceable at others heading into the 2023 season. Post 2023, watch out.
(C) The transfer portal has been a boon for UCF, which, since Jan. 2021, has brought in 31 transfers, 12 likely run out of eligibility in 2023 with seven more in 2024. Eight had three years of experience, but two of those transferred out.
(D) Gus has relied so heavily on the portal that he has signed just 28 high school players--three are no longer with the program. Several high school signees are expected to play as true freshmen in 2023.
(E) NIL has been an obvious crutch. UCF lost four team leaders at four different positions due to financial constraints. UCF lost two high profile transfer commits to bigger purses.
(F) Gus Malzahn's buyout has dropped to $3 million and will drop to $2 as of Dec. 31, 2023.
(G) The SEC is expanding to 16 teams in 2024. Four head coaches of note are currently listed as on the hot seat: Billy Napier (Florida), Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M Aggies), Ryan Day (Ohio State Buckeyes), Mario Cristobal 🤣 (Miami Hurricanes), Steve Sarkisian (Texas Longhorns), Neal Brown (West Virginia Mountaineers) and Brent Venables (Oklahoma Sooners). https://sports.yahoo.com/billy-napier-among-7-college-175905533.html
Given A,B, C, D, E, F, and G, it is conceivable that Gus is loading up on experienced veteran transfers (while simultaneously ignoring the underclass of the UCF roster) in order to make a statement in the Big 12 while having one foot out the door. I do not think UCF's 2023 success in the Big 12 will be sustainable given Gus's reliance on the transfer portal (C) and his lack of recruiting developmental high school players (D). (Keyon Cox is one of the few definitely slated for a redshirt. More than half of the class will play as true freshmen.) I also think Gus cannot compete with the upper echelon of college football for top recruits without real NIL money (E), which will be in abundance in the SEC.
EDIT: I have no idea what Gus is thinking, but if remains at UCF, he will have to strengthen the underclass of his roster. The most pressing need will be firing Grant Heard, who has accomplished nothing at UCF. I would rather Gus bring Darrell Wyatt back for third time than keep Heard on staff.
(A) The last two UCF head coaches spent only a brief time in Orlando before moving to other programs; one obviously more successful than the other. (Gus currently has the lowest winning percentage of three at UCF. It is noteworthy that programs in the AAC improved dramatically in the last half decade, and it is arguable that Gus faced the toughest competition of the three during his time at UCF.)
(B) UCF is embarking on an incredible journey to the Power 5 where depth is tested over the course of a season. UCF is strong at several positions and serviceable at others heading into the 2023 season. Post 2023, watch out.
(C) The transfer portal has been a boon for UCF, which, since Jan. 2021, has brought in 31 transfers, 12 likely run out of eligibility in 2023 with seven more in 2024. Eight had three years of experience, but two of those transferred out.
(D) Gus has relied so heavily on the portal that he has signed just 28 high school players--three are no longer with the program. Several high school signees are expected to play as true freshmen in 2023.
(E) NIL has been an obvious crutch. UCF lost four team leaders at four different positions due to financial constraints. UCF lost two high profile transfer commits to bigger purses.
(F) Gus Malzahn's buyout has dropped to $3 million and will drop to $2 as of Dec. 31, 2023.
(G) The SEC is expanding to 16 teams in 2024. Four head coaches of note are currently listed as on the hot seat: Billy Napier (Florida), Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M Aggies), Ryan Day (Ohio State Buckeyes), Mario Cristobal 🤣 (Miami Hurricanes), Steve Sarkisian (Texas Longhorns), Neal Brown (West Virginia Mountaineers) and Brent Venables (Oklahoma Sooners). https://sports.yahoo.com/billy-napier-among-7-college-175905533.html
Given A,B, C, D, E, F, and G, it is conceivable that Gus is loading up on experienced veteran transfers (while simultaneously ignoring the underclass of the UCF roster) in order to make a statement in the Big 12 while having one foot out the door. I do not think UCF's 2023 success in the Big 12 will be sustainable given Gus's reliance on the transfer portal (C) and his lack of recruiting developmental high school players (D). (Keyon Cox is one of the few definitely slated for a redshirt. More than half of the class will play as true freshmen.) I also think Gus cannot compete with the upper echelon of college football for top recruits without real NIL money (E), which will be in abundance in the SEC.
EDIT: I have no idea what Gus is thinking, but if remains at UCF, he will have to strengthen the underclass of his roster. The most pressing need will be firing Grant Heard, who has accomplished nothing at UCF. I would rather Gus bring Darrell Wyatt back for third time than keep Heard on staff.
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