Report: UCF hiring Miami running backs coach Tim Harris as offensive coordinator

The UCF Knights are making more changes to their coaching staff. Reportedly, head coach Gus Malzahn is hiring Tim Harris as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Harris spent the 2023 season with the Miami Hurricanes as a running backs coach. Prior to holding that role with Miami, Harris was the running backs coach at UCF. There, he helped the Knights put together the ninth-ranked rushing attack during the 2022 season. In total, he spent two seasons with UCF, joining Malzahn’s staff when he first took over in Orlando.

During his first stint with the Knights, Harris also held the position of co-offensive coordinator. He also held the title of assistant head coach. Prior to that, he worked at FIU as a running backs coach and called plays for FIU as well, and prior to that, he was a high school coach in the state of Florida.

When Tim Harris initially left UCF, the Knights were preparing to move from the AAC to the Big 12. Now, after playing one season there, the team is more established at the Power Five level. RJ Harvey, who was on all Big-12 honorable mention in 2023, worked with Tim Harris during his time with the Knights.

Tim Harris is a Miami graduate. There, he was a track and field star, being named a four-time NCAA All-American in the 800 meters. In 2022, he was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. Ironically, he replaced Kevin Smith when he became the running backs coach at Miami, who is regarded as the greatest running back in UCF’s history.

With Miami, Tim Harris coached Henry Parrish and Mark Fletcher, who combined for 1,139 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

In 2023, former UCF quarterback Darin Hinshaw became UCF’s offensive coordinator. He is still listed online as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The school has not yet officially announced staff changes relating to the coordinator.

UCF announces hiring of Ted Roof as new defensive coordinator

Earlier in the offseason, UCF made another surprising move at defensive coordinator. Gus Malzahn hired Ted Roof to become the team’s co-defensive coordinator while retaining  Addison Williams, who had been in his first season as UCF’s defensive coordinator.

“I’m looking forward to working with Ted again after winning a national championship together at Auburn,” Malzahn said in the press release. “He’s a three-time Broyles Award nominee and has had the No. 1 ranked rush defense in the conference at three different schools.”