For the second consecutive season, the UCF Knights have suffered a five-game losing streak. Last year it happened after starting 3-0. Perhaps they decided it was such a joy that the same thing happened in 2024. UCF now needs to finish 3-1 over the final four to get to the postseason.
Following the 37-24 loss to BYU at FBC Mortgage Stadium, the Knights fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof on Monday. The news was reported by Brett McMurphy among others. Roof will be replaced by co-defensive coordinator Addison Williams, who was the DC last season.
Roof joined the team after serving as the Oklahoma Sooners defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2022 and 2023. This season his defense is No. 11 in scoring defense in the Big 12 (27.1 points per game) and No. 12 in total defense (379.1 yards per game).
The firing signals the pressure is on head coach Gus Malzahn after another season falling apart following a promising start. Prior to joining the Big 12, Malzahn was a combined 18-9 with a 1-1 record in bowl games. Since joining the Power Four, the UCF head coach is a meager 9-12 and 4-10 in Big 12 play.
The Knights are unlikely to make a move at the moment but it seems to be getting worse for the former Auburn Tigers head coach. His calling card is on the offensive side of the ball but so far this year, UCF has the No. 9 scoring offense in the Big 12 (30.4) and No. 2 total offense (454.8).
But for UCF it is more than numbers when the results aren’t following. In three of the losses during the current streak, the Knights have been outscored by a combined 51 points. The other two losses came by a combined 9 points. That can make a major difference in the perception. Two scores away from a 5-3 record and a 3-5 record.
If the trajectory continues for the Knights, head coach Gus Malzahn could be in hot water this offseason.