Gus Malzahn leaves UCF Knights for FSU football: 5 things to know

On December 1, 2024By Littum

Gus Malzahn is leaving UCF.

After four seasons as the Knights’ head football coach, Malzahn resigned Saturday to take a job with an in-state program. He will be the next offensive coordinator for Mike Norvell and Florida State Seminoles.

His move is similar to the one Chip Kelly made earlier in 2024. After an 8-5 record in 2023 and a 35-24 overall mark, Kelly stepped down as head coach at UCLA to join another Power Four program, Ohio State , as OC .

Malzahn finished his fourth season in charge of UCF with a 28-14 loss to Utah on Friday. The Knights‘ 4-8 record in the fall was the worst of his coaching career.

Ultimately, UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir doesn’t have to make a decision about Malzahn’s future — to fire him or keep him. He is frolicking himself after dismissing rumors of retirement last week.

UCF’s athletic department released the following statement after the news came on Saturday afternoon:

“We would like to thank Coach Malzahn for his contributions to our football program over the past four seasons, including our transition to the Big 12 Conference. We appreciate his professionalism and dedication to our student-athletes throughout his tenure at UCF and wish , that he and his wife, Kristi, the very best in their future endeavors.”

Here are five things to know about Malzahn’s departure:

What was Gus Malzahn’s career record at UCF?

In four seasons in charge of the Knights, Malzahn posted a 28-24 record.

It got worse each year: 9-4 in 2021 and 9-5 in 2022, both as members of the American Athletic Conference. After they jumped to the Big 12, Malzahn went 6-7 last year and 4-8 this season.

His numbers in Big 12 play: 5-13.

In 13 campaigns as a college head coach, with stops at Arkansas State, Auburn and UCF, Malzahn is 105-62. He never suffered a losing season until 2023.

If UCF fired Malzahn, it would have owed him $13.75 million. But because Malzahn left for a new gig, he wants to pay the Knights.

According to documents obtained by USA TODAY through an open records request, Malzahn is on the hook for $6 million because he terminated his contract before June 30, 2025.

He was set to make $16 million over the next three years after signing an extension through 2027 in July 2023.

Gus Malzahn’s relationship with FSU head coach Mike Norvell

Malzahn and Norvell go way back.

Norvell served as a graduate assistant at Tulsa in 2007 and 2008, while Malzahn held the titles of assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

UCF Knights get early access to NCAA transfer portal

With Malzahn’s exit, a 30-day transfer portal window opens for UCF players.

NCAA rules allow players on teams with coaching changes to hit the portal the day after the change.

The portal is scheduled to open to all college football players on December 9th. The window runs until December 28.

Who will replace Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator at Florida State?

The answer is twofold.

Malzahn succeeds Alex Atkins in the full-time OC role. FSU parted ways with Atkins on November 10. However, Norvell has called the plays throughout his head coaching career.

According to reports, he will cede those duties to Malzahn going forward.