This is moving fast.
Central Florida, which over the weekend saw Gus Malzahn bolt for the offensive coordinator post at Florida State, is zeroing in on a top candidate for its head coaching vacancy, sources tell FootballScoop.
UCF and the school's athletics director, Terry Mohajir, are focusing heavily on Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell, multiple sources tell FootballScoop.
Wednesday opens the NCAA's December Early Signing Period, which runs through Friday, and the NCAA Transfer Portal runs Dec. 9-28 this month, making timing critical.
An East Tennessee native, Chadwell's been a proven winner at four difference NCAA coaching stops. He's posted seasons of 10 or more wins at NCAA Division II program North Greenville, FCS program Charleston Southern and FBS schools Coastal Carolina and Liberty.
In the past two years at Liberty, where he replaced Hugh Freeze, Chadwell guided the Flames to 21 wins, including a 13-0 run before a bowl loss in 2023.
A 60-game winner at the FBS level, Chadwell has been known for his innovative offensive approach, and sources told FootballScoop last weekend that UCF Athletics Director Mohajir would prioritize an offensive-minded replacement for Malzahn.