UCF Head Coach Johnny Dawkins Reflects on Season-Opening Win, NIL Era

Although it wasn't the prettiest victory for UCF hoops on Monday night, the new-look squad managed to come out of Addition Financial Arena with a 96-95 victory over Florida Gulf Coast (FGCU).

Senior guard Dior Johnson led the way with a 41-point explosion, marking the first time a Big 12 player has opened the season with 40 or more points.

Following the win, head coach Johnny Dawkins praised Johnson, while talking about the growing pains with forming a new team year after year.

Dawkins explained that in today's landscape of college basketball, players come and go, saying that this is just part of the business, and encouraging the UCF fan base to support current and former players no matter the circumstance.

"If players are around and we retain them, that's great," Dawkins said. "But, if they move on and they look at different opportunities, you can't begrudge them for that in the new landscape we have. Just cheer for your team, root for these guys to be successful from year-to-year and I think we'll be fine."

Last season, Dawkins was one of the top roster-builders in the country, bringing in an all-new team and coaching them to a March Madness bid.

This marked just the second time in program history that the Knights have made the Big Dance, and earned Dawkins a multi-year extension in the offseason.

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.

Dawkins' player-first mentality has served him well throughout the NIL-era, as the former Naismith Player of the Year with Duke has been highly-touted for his relationships with his players.

On Oct. 5, Dawkins joined the Take Da Bait Show, and was asked about navigating the NIL era. 

"For me, it's easy because my mission stays the same," Dawkins explained. 

He went on to say that the revenue sharing and new aspects of the game have only made him happy for his players, while emphasizing that he is going to continue to "pour into them."

As UCF enters the regular season, having a bench boss with this mentality at the helm is extremely encouraging for the players, knowing they have support in the backend.

Following the Knights' first victory, UCF is back in action on Friday, at 7:00 p.m. against Yale.

The Bulldogs are also 1-0, having knocked off Howard 72-62 on Monday night.