This was a lazy hire for sure. Not quite the Stricklin hiring Mullen from MSU hire, but similar - doesn't seem much effort went into it (he gets shot down a couple of times then runs to his fallback guy). I think UT should have gone w/ Steele for one year, like OSU did w/ Fickel in their transition year between Tressell and Meyer.
Chadwell would be a great hire for UCF, but I think Chadwell sits tight for a year and ends up at a P5 making 50% or more than UCF is going to pay him.
I'm really surprised to hear UCF fans didn't like Heupel - not that I thought he was the next Saban or anything, but he's won 28 games in 3 years, including a covid year. He won more games in two years than Frost did (I know Frost took over a 0-12 team). The 6-4 covid year is a wash. Plus Heupel lost the all-star QB to injury and had to throw in a new starter. I think he did an admirable job...or UCF fans expectations are too high?
UCF has a younger fan base who never really watched college football before coming to UCF. They have a hard time comprehending why a coach would leave to go to a bigger school (Frost) and blah blah blah. We think we should be undefeated every year and blah blah blah.
I didnt mind Heupel but it seems like the team has regressed since he got there. KZ going down at the end of his first year b/c when healthy, this QB truly was a game changer (i know some will laugh at that statement but if you have watched him play, he was a special college qb).
In 2019, we blew 3 games in the 4th quarter to Pitt, Tulsa, and Cincy. We were favored in all 3 games and we blew it
In 2020 we blew a 4h quarter game at home vs Tulsa and a BAD one vs Memphis. (Losing to cincy or getting blown at in bowl game didnt bother me)
The team also looked undisciplined in those losses.
When Frost left UCF, he was on his way "up".
I feel like Heupel is on his way "down". Needless to say that i am SHOCKED that a blueblood SEC school hired him.
Now regarding AD Danny White, i LOVE the guy. I truly HATE to see him leave