Blue Devil Country

'Tournament or Bust' for Duke Basketball Legend as UCF Head Coach

Duke basketball gem Johnny Dawkins has a difficult task at Central Florida.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Central Florida head coach Johnny Dawkins, a former all-time Duke basketball guard and longtime assistant under Mike Krzyzewski, has guided the program to the NCAA Tournament only once, ending in a dramatic Round of 32 defeat at the buzzer to the 2018-19 Blue Devils.

That season marked the second 24-win campaign in his first three years at the helm. However, the Knights haven't reached 20 wins in a season since.

At 9-3 this go-round but with no victories over high-major opponents, Dawkins' eighth UCF squad likely needs a few handfuls of impressive wins across its inaugural Big 12 schedule — a daunting slate starting with four currently ranked foes in its first five games — to have any shot at earning an at-large bid to the Big Dance.

And on Monday, Burner Ball college basketball insider "Trilly Donovan" placed the Duke basketball great on his 13-deep "High-Major Hot Seat" breakdown with the following brief explanation:

"Sources say it’s tournament or bust for Johnny Dawkins."

Dawkins, Coach K's first blockbuster recruit, helped lead the 1985-86 Blue Devils to the national championship game as a senior. He finished his college career as Duke's all-time leading scorer (now No. 2 with 2,556 points). Then, he played nine years in the NBA before returning to Durham and spending a decade on Krzyzewski's staff.

In 2008, Dawkins became head coach at Stanford, where he remained until accepting the UCF job in 2016.

As a head coach, he has compiled a 296-205 overall record (59.1 percent) and two NCAA Tournament appearances (2014 at Stanford and 2019 at UCF).

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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