When Tim Harris Jr. returned to UCF, he didn’t need an introductory campus tour.
Harris was named offensive coordinator and receivers coach on Jan. 25, less than a year after leaving the program for another job.
It brings him back to Orlando, where he spent two seasons (2021-22) as the Knights’ co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach.
“I’ve worked with all of those guys at some point,” said Harris. “The staff hasn’t changed since I left, so it’s good to have good, healthy relationships, and we all went through this thing together.”
Harris spent last season home in Miami as the Hurricanes‘ running backs coach. However, when presented with a chance to return to UCF and become a coordinator, he couldn’t it pass up.
“I believe in not just being able to elevate your career when you get an opportunity to be an offensive coordinator, but being an offensive coordinator for a head coach that’s had so much success in that role,” said Harris.
The move reunites Harris with coach Gus Malzahn.
“I want to learn and continue to develop, so there’s no other way to be under a coach who can help you through the job process. I’m so very excited to be back here,” Harris said.
While Harris assumes the title of offensive coordinator, play-calling duties will again fall to Malzahn, who took over the responsibilities midway through last season. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be input from Harris and co-offensive coordinators Darin Hinshaw and Herb Hand.
“It’ll be a collaborative effort,” said Harris. “It puts me in a position to contribute to the offense and leave my mark on this. Coach [Malzahn] knows I believe in many of the same things he does, and that’s a big part of why I’m here.”
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During Harris’ two seasons at UCF, he helped guide the Knights to a pair of top-30 finishes in rushing offense spearheaded by Isaiah Bowser, RJ Harvey and Johnny Richardson. In his only season at Miami, the Hurricanes ranked 40th in the nation in rushing.
But this time, Harris returns to his high school roots as UCF’s receivers coach.
“I started as a quarterback and wide receiver guy,” Harris said of his time at Booker T. Washington High School in Miami. “All my years of coaching in high school, that’s my background. I played quarterback, so quarterbacks and receivers were where I started when I got into college.
“I had to learn how to coach running backs. I spent six years at a place [Florida International] and then came here for two. Last year, being back in Miami, coaching the backs like that was a job that didn’t come easy to me. Now, I’m able to come back to my roots.”
Harris inherits a receivers group that returns 55% of its production from last season (1,865 yards), including starters Kobe Hudson (900 yards, 8 TDs) and Xavier Townsend (325, 3 TDs). Still, he must find a replacement for All-Big 12 standout Javon Baker (1,139, 7 TDs).
“He was the running back coach during my freshman year, so I only saw him with the running backs,” said Townsend. “So, for him to come back. I was a bit skeptical about everything. But what I’ve seen so far, he’s an excellent football coach.
“He knows receivers as well. He’s been teaching me many new things I’ve never thought about. He’s broadening my mind regarding how I’m looking at their position. He’s done an excellent job.”
Added Harris: “Those guys still know what I’m about. They know how to operate. They knew the standards that I held the running back to when I was coaching them, and that’s made this transition easier.”
Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com