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Gus Malzahn shares an inside glimpse of what it’s like to feel FBC Mortgage Stadium bounce.
Soon after Gus Malzahn accepted the head coaching position at UCF football, he discovered why FBC Mortgage Stadium was given the moniker “The Bounce House.” He will now confirm that it does, in fact, bounce.
Three years after taking over at UCF ahead of the 2021 season, Malzahn still recalls how unsettling the commotion upstairs was from the home locker room. In an interview with Andy Staples of On3, Malzahn reminisced about those times and expressed his gratitude for the surroundings.
“The first year, when we were in the locker room and the doors started to shake before the game, it kind of freaked me out. Like, ‘Whoa, what’s going on?'” But I’m accustomed to it now. However, it bounces, according to Malzahn.
Malzahn further clarified that the atmosphere in the stands is not exactly the same as it is on the field. Things get really loud down at the field with all the fans, speakers, bands, and other noise-producing equipment aimed directly at it.
To the benefit of Malzahn and his UCF teams, the head coach also believes that the close proximity of the fans to the field makes it even more boisterous.
“Everyone is ahead of you, I promise you. Because they’re so near to you, it seems different than any other location I’ve been as a coach or player. But they can be heard bouncing, according to Malzahn.
KJ Jefferson, a quarterback addition made during the offseason, has Malzahn excited as he could be the key UCF needs to advance to the 2024 season. John Rhys Plumlee was replaced by the former Arkansas quarterback for the Knights, who finished 6-7 in their debut season in the Big 12.
As the No. 17 quarterback and 73rd overall athlete in On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings, Jefferson is expected to do well. Malzahn recruited Jefferson while he was the Auburn head coach, demonstrating his long-standing awareness of his abilities.
“KJ has me incredibly excited,” Malzahn remarked. Bo Nix was the same age as the guy I recruited straight out of high school. We weren’t going to take two quarterbacks, of course. I’m from Arkansas, so many of my buddies are major Arkansas fans, so I had my eye on him. He was therefore our top candidate when he entered the portal.
It doesn’t get any better than his skill set when it comes to our preferred offensive strategy. He seems to have the ideal combination of qualities to succeed in our league and with our attack.