ORLANDO, Fla. — The search for a new head football coach is quickly over for the University of Central Florida after announcing the hire of Josh Heupel, the offensive coordinator from the University of Missouri.
Heupel follows in the footsteps of Scott Frost, who led the Knights to an unbeaten regular season and the American Athletic Conference championship. UCF will play on New Years Day in the Peach Bowl against Auburn. Heupel is not expected to be coaching in that game.
Randy Shannon has also been hired at UCF’s new defensive coordinator. He most recently coached at the University and Florida.
In his playing days, Heupel quarterbacked the University of Oklahoma to the BCS National Championship in the 2001 Orange Bowl, defeating Florida State. His pro career was severely limited by injuries.
Missouri’s offense, under Heupel, was ranked 7th in NCAA Division 1 football. UCF is ranked 5th this year.