UCF has taken a major step toward solidifying its 2026 coaching staff, bringing in A.J. Blazek as the new offensive line coach - and this hire carries serious weight.
Blazek arrives in Orlando with a résumé that speaks volumes. Most recently at Wisconsin, he helped anchor one of the most efficient offensive lines in the country.
The Badgers led the Big Ten in fewest sacks allowed during the 2024 season, finishing 10th nationally in that category - a testament to both scheme and execution. Under Blazek’s guidance, Wisconsin’s front wasn’t just keeping the quarterback clean; it was paving the way for playmakers like Braelon Allen, who turned that protection into a fourth-round NFL Draft selection.
Throw in the development of linemen like Joe Huber and Jack Nelson, both of whom made the leap to the pros, and it's clear Blazek knows how to build NFL-caliber talent in the trenches.
For UCF, this isn’t just about replacing a position coach - it’s about reestablishing identity in the trenches. Blazek brings more than 20 years of coaching experience, and he’s no stranger to the grind of building offensive lines from the ground up.
His coaching journey began at Iowa as a graduate assistant and has taken him through a variety of roles, from offensive coordinator at Fort Hays State and Winona State to offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Western Illinois. He also served as assistant head coach and O-line coach at Rutgers, before helping North Dakota State rush for a school-record 4,601 yards in his first season with the Bison.
That kind of production doesn’t happen without a coach who understands the nuances of line play - from footwork to leverage to scheme fit.
What makes this move even more seamless is Blazek’s familiarity with UCF’s current staff. He previously worked alongside defensive coordinator Alex Grinch at Wisconsin, giving him a built-in rapport that should help him hit the ground running.
More importantly, his style fits what head coach Scott Frost wants to do offensively. Blazek is known as a technician - someone who emphasizes fundamentals and precision.
That’s exactly what UCF needs as they look to retool an offensive line that’s in transition.
And make no mistake, this is a critical juncture for the Knights. The offensive line room is undergoing a major overhaul, with several starters out of eligibility and others expected to test the transfer portal.
Blazek’s arrival gives the program a chance to not only restock through the portal but to reset the tone up front. His track record suggests he’s more than capable of doing both - developing talent and building cohesion in a unit that often defines a team’s offensive ceiling.
This hire also comes in the wake of a difficult chapter for UCF. The loss of offensive line coach Shawn Clark earlier this season was a tragic blow to the program.
Veteran coach Danny Hope stepped in to stabilize the group in the short term, but the long-term solution was always going to be about finding the right voice to lead the unit forward. In Blazek, UCF may have found that voice - one with the experience, credibility, and schematic fit to guide the Knights’ offensive line into a new era.
There’s still work to be done, especially with roster turnover looming, but this move signals that UCF is serious about building from the inside out. With Blazek now in the fold, the Knights have a proven developer of talent and a steady hand ready to reshape the offensive front - and that’s a foundational win heading into 2026.