‘Special time’ as refreshed, renewed UCF opens first fall football camp in Big 12

For the first time in the program’s history, UCF opens a fall football camp as a member of a Power Five conference. The move to the Big 12 has been two years of patiently waiting and more than four decades in the making.
Everybody has been swept up in the Big 12 excitement in Central Florida.
Orlando has been designated as an official Big 12 city, with Mayor Buddy Dyer welcoming UCF athletics director Terry Mohajir and coach Gus Malzahn to a ceremony at city hall Thursday.
That excitement becomes a reality Monday when the Knights take the practice field to kick off preparations for the upcoming season.
“It feels a little different right now,” Malzahn said of the start of fall camp. “You know we’re in a real special time right now and you can feel it. I told our team that it was bigger than us. We’ve got to seize the moment this year, going into the Big 12 and representing Orlando. I’m looking forward to it.”
Here are three storylines to watch as camp opens:
New coordinators
UCF welcomes two new coordinators. The hiring of Darin Hinshaw as offensive coordinator and QB coach, as well as the promotion of Addison Williams to defensive coordinator and secondary coach, were necessary after the departures of Chip Lindsey and Travis Williams.
Hinshaw, 51, returns to his alma mater after one season at UAB, assuming control of the offense and play-calling duties and developing the quarterback position.
“I brought in Darin to really open up our offense, push the ball vertically down the field,” said Malzahn. “We were a top 20 offense overall, but our yards per completion was high, like 88th in the country [bottom half of FBS].
“[He’s here] to develop our quarterback, specifically John Rhys Plumlee, which he’s done an unbelievable job. John Rhys is like night and day to where he was at this time last year.”
Meanwhile, Williams moves into a larger role that Malzahn believes he is ready for, having been with him for the last two years.
“[He’s] one of the young up-and-coming defensive coordinators in the country,” said Malzahn. “He’s got a great relationship with players. He’s very aggressive. He’s very sound. So I’m excited about him leading our defense.”
John Rhys Plumlee
Things haven’t slowed down much for Plumlee, who spent his spring juggling time at football practice and playing baseball. He would take to the gridiron in the mornings before transitioning to the diamond in the afternoons.
Over the summer, the 22-year-old has participated in player-led practices while hosting a football/baseball camp for children. His goals are to improve on last season, where he passed for 2,586 yards with 14 touchdowns while rushing for 861 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“I want to showcase my talents,” said Plumlee. “I’ve shown my ability to extend plays with my legs. I haven’t shown as much as I want as far as being in the pocket and making some really good throws. I’m looking forward to doing that this year.”
Big 12 play
The media picked UCF to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big 12 this year — eighth in the preseason poll — but that isn’t a concern for many players who ignore the outside projections.
“We love to earn our respect,” said receiver Javon Baker. “We’re the new kids on the block, and like any new kid on the block you’re going to be tested for what you’re capable of. We can’t wait.”
Said defensive end Josh Celiscar: “I don’t care about rankings. This team believes what we believe and must be ready to face adversity. We might be eighth in the poll but can still make it to the [Big 12] championship. We’ll have a good year if we come in with the right attitude and mindset.”