New special teams coordinator Pete Alamar targets Big 12 dominance, detailing plans to build a championship unit with fresh talent like Texas transfer Will Stone.
Special teams coordinator Pete Alamar is one of the new additions to this year's UCF coaching staff, joining the program after being selected by head coach Scott Frost in January.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Coach Scott Frost for this opportunity to join his coaching staff as special teams coordinator,” Alamar said after earning the position. “My goal is to develop and lead the best special teams units in the Big 12 and nationally and I cannot wait to get to work with our players and coaches."
Tuesday, following spring practice, Alamar took to the microphone for the first time, outlining his plan to grow the special teams unit at UCF.
"We've got a full room now," Alamar said. "We're operating with two kickers, two punters, and two snappers and we'll, you know, utilize these 15 practices to really get a baseline on where each one of those guys are and then, you know, at the end of it be able to review, correct, set a course for their summer and then get them ready for the season."
Texas transfer Will Stone is among the new additions to the kicking room, as he joins UCF after redshirting last season.
Stone excels on kickoff, helping the Longhorns lead the SEC and rank 13th nationally in kickoff return defense, allowing just 16.57 yards per return, according to UCF Athletics.
Despite never having a full-time role as a field goal/extra point kicker, Alamar said he has confidence in Stone from his experience in big moments.
"Well, you know, the one thing is he's played in big games," Alamar said. "He's had two attempts as a place kicker. Both of them were extra points in the semi-final against Ohio State a couple years ago."
Stone added three kickoffs for 193 yards (64.3 avg) with one touchback in the 2024 Cotton Bowl, surpassing his season average (63.6).
Alamar talked about Stone's skillset, while highlighting his "great leg strength."
"So, the first thing that jumps out is he's got great leg strength. Really good leg pop," Alamar said. "And just learning to get to know him, the thing that's great about him is he is a true guy that's into the craft. He's going to work hard at it. And I had a chance to look at some film, field goal film of him, not obviously in a game, but just looked at him, liked his technique, liked his leg strength, and liked the fact that he loved his craft and was going to work really hard at it. I think that uh you know, he hasn't had a chance yet, but this year, I think he'll have a great opportunity if he if he gets it done right.
Despite Stone seemingly being the favorite to earn the starting kicker position with Alamar, the Knights' new special teams coordinator made it clear that the job is still wide open.
"He's got to win.You know, we always say this guys, we compete for all positions. So nothing's handed to you just because you're the senior from Texas over the freshman," Alamar said. "We don't have labels in our room. Doesn't matter freshman, senior, junior, walk-on guy getting a ton of money, none of that counts. What counts is that they can get it done between the lines. That's why no jobs are won in spring. You win your job in fall camp. You might make a statement and make a stake to the job with a great spring, but you're not going to win it."
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