The UCF Knights are off to a scorching start this season, and while the record books are already taking notice, head coach Johnny Dawkins is keeping his team’s feet firmly on the ground. At 8-1, this is the best start in program history heading into Wednesday’s home matchup against Mercer - but Dawkins isn’t ready to celebrate just yet.
His message? Stay hungry.
“Yeah, I'm never satisfied,” Dawkins said last week, echoing the mindset that’s helped fuel this early-season run. “The best start would’ve been undefeated.”
That’s not coachspeak - it’s a clear signal to his team that the work is far from over. The Knights have shown they can win, but Dawkins is laser-focused on how they win - and more importantly, how that effort stacks up against their own internal expectations, not just the scoreboard.
This approach isn’t about ignoring success - it’s about building something sustainable. Dawkins knows that the real test is still ahead.
After Mercer, UCF wraps up non-conference play with games against Florida Gulf Coast and Florida Atlantic. Then comes the gauntlet: Big 12 play, starting with a Jan. 3 road trip to Kansas.
That’s where the Knights will find out just how far they’ve come.
But don’t expect Dawkins to start mapping out January just yet.
“I don’t look at the overall record,” he said. “All we try to do is see the next opponent in front of us and find a way to win that one game.”
That tunnel vision is by design. Dawkins wants his players locked in on the task at hand - not looking back at what they’ve accomplished, and not getting distracted by what lies ahead. It’s a mindset rooted in preparation and consistency, and it’s helped UCF navigate the early part of the season with poise and purpose.
“I rarely can tell you who’s two games down the road,” Dawkins admitted. “I know who’s right in front of me. That’s what we pour ourselves into.”
And right now, that’s Mercer.
The Knights have played with a noticeable edge this season - one that reflects their coach’s no-complacency attitude. They’ve taken care of business against a range of opponents, and while the wins are stacking up, Dawkins is more interested in how the team is evolving.
Are they defending at a high level? Are they executing under pressure?
Are they staying true to the identity they’re building?
That’s the bar Dawkins is setting - not just for December, but for the long haul.
So while fans might be buzzing about the 8-1 start, Dawkins is keeping the conversation focused on growth, discipline, and a one-game-at-a-time mentality. The Knights are off to a historic start, no question. But in Dawkins’ eyes, the real story is still being written - and it starts with how they show up Wednesday night.