UCF Basketball: Johnny Dawkins gets contract extension

UCF Basketball: Johnny Dawkins gets contract extension through 2023-24

HARTFORD, CT - MARCH 11: Head coach Johnny Dawkins of the UCF Knights looks on during the first half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the semifinal round of the AAC Basketball Tournament at the XL Center on March 11, 2017 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

UCF Basketball Coach Johnny Dawkins received a contract extension even though he has not made the tournament with the Knights. How will this move look in the future?

UCF has extended the contract of their head coach, Johnny Dawkins, through the 2023-2024 season. This was a curious move to some as he has not made the NCAA Tournament through his two seasons at UCF. In 16-17, the Knights reached the NIT semifinals and finished 4th in the AAC (24-12, 11-7). Last season was marred by injuries to the Knights’ best players, but they still finished at 9-9 in the league. Their leading scorer and PG BJ Taylor missed half of the season, as did 7’6” defensive anchor Tacko Fall. Dawkins’ son Aubrey missed the entire season as well.

All three of these players were starters and at the very least were 3 of the team’s top 4 players, if not the team’s best players. With these players returning to the lineup, UCF looks like the early favorite in the AAC and if they follow through with this promise, Dawkins’ possibly premature extension will be completely forgotten.

Dawkins has not even had a poor season at UCF and most of this criticism is probably carrying over from his time at Stanford where he disappointed with many talented rosters. The Cardinal made only one tournament appearance in Dawkins’ eight seasons at the helm, but he deserves a clean slate when being evaluated at his current job.

This is certainly a proactive move by UCF which could backfire if the team does not live up to their talent or suffers injuries once again. It’s unfair to assign blame to Dawkins for last season because few teams had such horrible luck with injuries, but this looks like the Knights’ best chance to make a tournament run.

Both Taylor and Fall are seniors and most of the remaining impact players are also upperclassmen so this team has a great mix of talent and experience. Having strong PG play with Taylor, an elite defense led by Fall, and adding a prolific wing shooter in Dawkins is an excellent trio that can lead UCF to an AAC Championship.

The Knights are my pick to win the league and I see them in the 35-40 range nationally. The AAC looks to be in for a down year at the top since there are no squads that resemble the Houston, Wichita State, Cincinnati tier from last season. However, the strength and the intrigue in the league is in the middle of the conference since eight teams have a realistic case to be bubble teams.

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UCF looks to be the best of the closely knit 1-8 in the league, but Houston and Cincinnati can also make a case for the top spot. Wichita State has many new faces, but coach Gregg Marshall has consistently kept them in the mix. Memphis has a new coach in Penny Hardaway and an underrated mix of veterans and quality newcomers. UConn and Temple have the talent to make up for disappointing 17-18 campaigns and SMU might be the most slept on of the bunch. I absolutely cannot wait to watch this AAC race unfold.