Specifics of UCF Head Coach Johnny Dawkins' 3-Year Extension

Following the news of UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins inking a 3-year extension with the program, the specifics of the contract were released on Friday.

The extension gradually increases Dawkins' salary each of the next four seasons, earning $2.1 million for the 2025-26 and $2.5 million in 2026-27, followed by $2.6 million in 2027-28 and $2.7 million in 2028-29.

The contract also includes multiple lucrative incentives, including securing an at-large bid to March Madness, advancements to certain rounds, and winning championships.

Conduct and academic bonuses are also listed, with Dawkins earning $10,000 for maintaining his team's GPA, and other moral-based incentives.

"Johnny has led our men’s basketball program with outstanding poise and class," UCF director of athletics Terry Mohajir said in a statement following the extension. "The stability and continuity he has provided have been, in my opinion, a major reason for the program’s growth. As a result, we’re excited to extend his contract. He is a strong leader and an outstanding role model for our young men."

Dawkins' off-the-court value is prominent in the contract, as he also earns $10,000 for keeping his players out of trouble and follows NCAA guidelines.

Now, with a new deal signed, Dawkins will have the opportunity to lead the Knights into the next decade and continue to build the program to yearly contender status in the Big 12.

Last season, the Knights were one of the biggest surprise teams in the country, ending a six-year March Madness skid despite rebuilding the team from scratch.

In early April, it was announced that Dawkins was named the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year. This honor is awarded to the top head coach in division I college basketball, making Dawkins the only UCF coach in program history to win.

Dawkins beat out multiple future hall-of-famers for the award, including Michigan State's Tom Izzo and UConn's Dan Hurley.

Angela Lento, Vice President of College Insider, Inc. and member of the Jim Phelan award voting panel, highlighted what went into Dawkins earning the award on the Jim Phelan Award's official website.

“I don’t think enough has been made about the job Johnny Dawkins did this season at UCF,” Lento said.  “He assembled a roster that included some good players from mid-major programs and had a terrific season in the best conference in college basketball. If UCF won just a few more games, Johnny Dawkins would have been a finalist for every head coaching award.”

Dawkins has a bit more help this year as he has returned players like John Bol and  Carmelo Pacheco, but is still relying on his ability to bring new players together and manufacture another formidable group.

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