ORLANDO, Fla. - UCF has hired Johnny Dawkins as its new men's basketball coach.
Dawkins, who will be the Knights seventh head coach since the program's inception in 1969, was fired last week by Stanford after coaching the Cardinal eight seasons.
He replaces Donnie Jones, whose UCF run ended following a disappointing first-round loss to No. 10 seed Tulane during the first round of the American Athletic Conference tournament on March 10.
Dawkins, 52, joins the Knights after posting a 156-115 overall record and 66-78 record in Pac-12 play with Stanford. The Cardinal made the NCAA Tournament just once in his eight seasons, making it to the Sweet 16 during his lone appearance two years ago.
[RELATED: Stanford fire Dawkins after eight seasons]
Dawkins was fired this season after Stanford went 15-15 and 8-10 in Pac-12 play.
Dawkins arrived at Stanford after serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Duke, from 1998-2008 under coach Mike Krzyzewski. He played for the Blue Devils from 1982-86. In 1986, Hawkins was the Naismith National Player of the Year as a senior.
Dawkins went on to become the first round draft pick (10th overall) of the San Antonio Spurs in 1986. He played in the NBA nine seasons, spending stints with San Antonio, Philadelphia and Detroit during his pro career.
He inherits a rebuilding situation at UCF.
The Knights were 79-88 during Jones' six seasons leading the program. Jones guided the Knights to back-to-back 20-plus wins seasons in 2011 and 2012. But UCF has won just 15 of 40 games in AAC play during the last three seasons.
UCF finished just 12-18 during Jones' final season at the helm.
Dawkins becomes the second head coach first-year UCF athletic director Danny White has hired. He also hired Scott Frost as the football coach and is also currently looking for a new women's basketball coach.
White is the son of Duke athletic director Kevin White.
