UCF hires Dawkins

UCF has a new basketball coach.

Former Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins accepted the position on Tuesday night, according to a report by Jeff Goodman of ESPN. His name had been connected with the job in recent days. On Sunday, sources told UCFSports.com Dawkins had become a prominent candidate and was perhaps the frontrunner to replace Donnie Jones, who was fired after six seasons.

Dawkins compiled a 156-115 record in eight seasons at Stanford. The Cardinal advanced to the NCAA Tournament once during his tenure, a Sweet Sixteen run in 2013-14. He also made three NIT appearances, winning the tournament twice (2011-12 and 2014-15).

One of the all-time great players at Duke, Dawkins held the Blue Devils' all-time scoring record until it was broken by J.J. Redick until 2006. Following a nine-year NBA career with stops at San Antonio, Philadelphia and Detroit, Dawkins returned to his alma mater to be an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski, first as an intern and radio analyst, then an assistant coach from 1998-2008 prior to taking the head coaching job at Stanford.

UCF athletic director Danny White managed to keep a tight lid on the search. Other candidates mentioned by sources in the coaching community included Monmouth coach King Rice, St. Bonaventure coach Mark Schmidt and Notre Dame assistant coach Martin Inglesby.

Update: UCF officially announced the hire on Wednesday at 12 noon with the following press release: