Updated March 20, 2026, 7:50 p.m. ET
- Johnny Dawkins is the 62-year-old head coach of the UCF males’s basketball staff.
- He has a profession teaching record of 345-246 throughout stints at Stanford and UCF.
- Before teaching, he was a Naismith Player of the Year at Duke and performed 9 seasons within the NBA.
Johnny Dawkins has been within the public eye for almost 45 years.
He starred as Duke’s level guard within the mid-Eighties. He moved on to a nine-year NBA profession, even competing within the dunk contest in 1987.
And after his enjoying days concluded, he transitioned into coach — first as an assistant along with his alma mater after which the final 18 years within the huge chair.
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Dawkins is making his third NCAA Tournament journey as a head coach. He appeared with Stanford in 2014 and piloted UCF throughout Tacko Fall’s run in 2019.
Now, the Knights are again in March Madness after a seven-season hiatus. They amassed a 21-11 total record and a 9-9 mark within the Big 12 getting into their first-round game against UCLA.
Here’s a breakdown on their longtime chief.
Johnny Dawkins age
Dawkins is 62 years previous. He’ll flip 63 on Sept. 28.
How lengthy has Johnny Dawkins been UCF basketball coach?
In almost three a long time as a males’s faculty basketball coach, Dawkins has labored at solely three faculties. He spent a decade as an assistant at Duke earlier than taking his first head-coaching gig at Stanford in 2008.
The Cardinal fired him in March 2016, however every week later, he landed at UCF and has remained there since. This is his tenth season in control of the Knights.
Johnny Dawkins profession record
Dawkins holds a profession record of 345-246.
He went 156-115 in eight seasons at Stanford and is 189–131 with the Knights. That interprets to an total successful share of .584.
Johnny Dawkins contract
Dawkins signed a two-year contract extension in June 2024.
This season, he pocketed a wage of $2.1 million, the bottom determine amongst Big 12 leaders. His $2.2 million wage for subsequent season, the final 12 months on his deal, will not be assured.
Johnny Dawkins was March Madness star as Duke participant
Long earlier than he was teaching within the NCAA Tournament, Dawkins thrived as a participant in it.
He was one of many early stars of Mike Krzyzewski’s legendary tenure as Blue Devils coach, pacing them in scoring every of his 4 seasons from 1982 to 1986.
Dawkins performed on three NCAA Tournament squads. During his senior 12 months, the staff captain helped Duke to an ACC Tournament title and a March Madness nationwide championship sport, the place it misplaced to Louisville.
He additionally received the Naismith Player of the Year award throughout his closing marketing campaign and have become the Blue Devils’ first two-time first-team All-American.
Dawkins completed his profession as this system’s all-time main scorer — the mark has since been damaged. The staff retired his No. 24 jersey.
Johnny Dawkins’ NBA profession included Philadelphia 76ers stint
The San Antonio Spurs drafted Dawkins tenth total in 1986.
After three seasons, they traded him to Philadelphia to kickstart his 5 years with the 76ers. He’s again within the metropolis for the NCAA Tournament this week.
“I love Philly,” Dawkins stated. “I was very fortunate to play with some great, great players; of course, played with the great Charles Barkley, thinking about memories of winning the (Atlantic Division), and going and playing in the (Eastern Conference) semis. That was an amazing experience here.”
Dawkins wrapped up his enjoying profession with one season with the Detroit Pistons in 1994-95. He averaged 11.1 factors and 5.5 assists per sport throughout 9 years within the league.
Johnny Dawkins is not any stranger to Mick Cronin groups
Dawkins and UCLA head coach Mick Cronin have matched wits six earlier instances. UCF and Cronin’s former program, Cincinnati, each competed within the American Athletic Conference earlier than becoming a member of the Big 12. Cronin holds a 4-2 edge within the collection.
March 20 marks the primary assembly between the Knights and Bruins.
