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Gus Malzahn receives extension, raise as UCF coach, per report
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Gus Malzahn’s UCF contract is reportedly being extended.
According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Malzahn’s deal will now run through the 2027 season. He will make $5.5 million per year for the last 2 seasons of his contract. Per Thamel, UCF wanted to raise Malzahn’s salary to the level of his Big 12 peers.
The raise and extension are part of UCF’s transition plan to the Big 12, which the school calls “Mission XII.” The new deal puts him more in line with the Big 12, as he would have entered UCF’s first in the Big 12 as the lowest-paid Power 5 coach without the adjustment.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 5, 2023
The timing of the extension news is a bit awkward. The Knights are coming off the most deflating loss of Malzahn’s tenure. In Week 5 against Baylor, UCF blew a 35-7 lead at home over the final 19 minutes to fall 36-35.
Overall, Malzahn’s tenure has been seen as a success for the Knights. In the first 2 seasons under Malzahn, UCF posted an 18-9 record. The Knights went to 2 bowl games, beating Florida in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl.
In its first Big 12 season, UCF is off to a 3-2 start, bringing Malzahn’s record to 21-11. Malzahn, who turns 58 this month, is 98-49 overall as a head coach, with previous stops at Arkansas State and Auburn.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
