Contract extension underscores UCF’s commitment to Johnny Dawkins

When Johnny Dawkins was recently asked about his future at UCF, the Knights basketball coach pointed out the banners hanging in the rafters of Addition Financial Arena.

Above the court were three banners signifying the program’s postseason trips: two to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) and an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

“The guys this year can put up a banner for being in the NIT,” Dawkins said following his team’s loss to USF in the first round of the NIT. “We’ve established four banners in this arena in eight years, and I know we can be better and do better.”

After a 17-16 record, including a 7-11 mark during UCF’s first season in the Big 12 and a program-best three wins over ranked opponents, some observers contended that the Knights may have overachieved this season. However, with one season remaining on Dawkins’ contract, there were questions about  his future with the school.

UCF offers basketball coach Johnny Dawkins a contract extension

UCF officials answered that question by offering Dawkins a contract extension this week.

Terms are still being finalized, but the new deal will keep the 60-year-old coach at the school for the foreseeable future.

With his future stabilized, Dawkins can focus on his team heading into Year 2 of the Big 12.

The Knights will once again undergo massive changes.

Starters Antwann Jones (4.3 points per game), Shemarri Allen (7.3 ppg), Omar Payne (4.2 ppg) and Ibrahima Diallo (5.6 rebounds per game) have exhausted their eligibility. And since the end of the season, C.J. Walker (7.8 ppg), Marchelus Avery (7.6 ppg), DeMarr Langford Jr. (1.6 ppg) and Michael Kalina have entered the transfer portal.

That leaves about 54% of the team’s offensive production remaining, mainly from the return of starting guards Darius Johnson (15.2 ppg) and Jaylin Sellers (15.9 ppg) and reserve forward Thierno Sylla (4.3 ppg).

Sellers said Dawkins made his decision to return to the Knights next season easier.

“Coach is perhaps the best coach I’ve ever had,” Sellers said. “With him believing in me, I never want to play for another coach in college basketball. He’s  another father figure to me. When I look into his eyes, I see me, and I’m pretty sure he sees a little bit of himself.”

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The Knights should also benefit from a strong recruiting class that includes transfer Mikey Williams, a former five-star prospect from Memphis. Williams was the No. 26 player in the nation for the Class of 2023.

UCF basketball has also seen increased resources away from the court, especially from the school’s collective, The Kingdom, which recently received two six-figure commitments for the program.

“Despite the South Florida game and maybe the last couple of games, there’s a lot of momentum around basketball that hasn’t happened before,” said SJ Tuohy, the executive director of the Kingdom. “Record sellouts and attendance … there was record interest, so we want to keep the momentum going.

“For us, it’s all about helping him. There’s no point in bringing him back if you won’t get him the help he needs to compete so we can try to improve.”

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Tuohy said the basketball program went from having one player under a name, image and likeness (NIL) contract in the 2022-23 season to 12 players with deals last season. He added that while UCF isn’t last in the Big 12 in NIL funding for basketball, the Knights are in the bottom four. But the program is narrowing that gap.

“We don’t have to be the top team in the Big 12; we don’t have to be the middle team in the Big 12. But we have to give Johnny enough so that he can get players that he can recruit, develop and enjoy their experience here,” Tuohy said. “I’m not hellbent on being at the top of the Big 12 [in basketball NIL]; I’m hellbent on giving our coach a chance.”

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com