Report: UCF hires former Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins

Former Stanford head coach Johnny Dawkins has reportedly accepted the open position at Central Florida.

Former Stanford head coach Johnny Dawkins has accepted the open position at Central Florida, ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reports.

Dawkins was relieved of his duties at Stanford on March 14, after eight seasons at the helm. He replaces Donnie Jones, who was let go by UCF earlier this month. The Cardinal went 15–15 last season, and made the NCAA tournament just once during his tenure.

Dawkins, 52, went 156–116 at Stanford, his first head coaching job following 11 years as an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. Goodman points out that Central Florida athletic director Dan White is the son of Duke athletic director Kevin White.

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UCF went 12–18 last season under Jones, and the program struggled after moving to the AAC in 2013, going just 37–54 in three seasons. Jones went 79–88 as coach of the Knights from 2010–2016.

Prior to his coaching career, Dawkins played in the NBA from 1986 to 1995 with the Spurs, Sixers and Pistons.