Continuity Is an Underrated Strength of 2026 UCF Knights
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Continuity is often an overlooked strength or weakness in an era of increased player movement, and the 2026 UCF Knights are on the right side of continuity.
Coach Scott Frost has retained a majority of his coaching staff heading into next season. Key names like offensive coordinator Steve Cooper, defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and EDGE coach Mike Dawson are still with the team.
UCF lost two position coaches. Late offensive line coach Shawn Clark, who passed away last September, and cornerback coaches Brandon Harris and Will Johnson.
The cornerback coach position was a bit of a carousel during the offseason. UCF hired Johnson, who previously coached at North Dakota State, to replace Harris, who went to Florida. Then Johnson was hired by the Minnesota Vikings as their defensive analyst.
The Knights quickly found their new cornerbacks coach, David Overstreet II, who was the Dallas Cowboys' cornerback coach last season. AJ Blazek, who previously coached at Wisconsin, became the new offensive line coach.
Minimal coaching staff turnaround is beneficial for UCF and the culture Frost envisions for the program. It streamlines communication between the coaches and the players, which could help practices run smoother and lead to fewer in-game mistakes.
"Everybody understands the direction we're trying to move and our process; we're trying to get there," Frost told reporters at Big 12 media day last week. "And that kind of continuity and understanding of the process can get passed along to the kids a lot faster. And just seems to go a lot smoother when you when you can retain coaches."
Continuity isn't exclusive to the coaching staff; it extends to the roster as well. UCF retained key contributors from last season to serve as reliable anchors next season.
Wide receivers Waden Charles and Duane Thomas Jr., Defensive tackle Horace Lockett and Defensive backs Jayden Bellamy and Braeden Marshall are some key contributors Frost retained during the transfer portal cycle. Like the coaches, the players understand what Frost wants to achieve and the style he wants to play.
A shared understanding between coaches and players could make a team more dangerous than it appears on paper. Talent is necessary to succeed, but so is continuity.
In an era where players likely play for multiple programs before their eligibility expires, continuity is an underrated strength for most teams. UCF has that continuity heading into next season, and it could lead the team to its first six-win season since 2023.
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