University of Central Florida Basketball Player Transitions to Football

Orlando, Florida

Former UCF basketball player Dallan “Deebo” Coleman has announced that he will switch from basketball to football this summer, joining the UCF football program as a tight end. This transition enables Coleman to continue his collegiate athletics while utilizing his remaining eligibility.

Coleman, who previously played basketball for UCF, will participate in summer workouts under head coach Scott Frost. Like many collegiate athletes, Coleman has a five-year eligibility timeframe and can compete in any sport outside of basketball to make the most of it.

Coleman’s athletic career began at Georgia Tech, where he played 92 games as a wing, starting 36 of those contests. He averaged 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 0.9 steals during his time there, boasting shooting percentages of 38.7% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range. After transferring to UCF, Coleman played a critical role under coach Johnny Dawkins, starting 30 of 37 games as a power forward in his final season, where he averaged 5.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 assists per game.

After focusing solely on basketball since his sophomore year of high school, Coleman is returning to football, a sport he played extensively before specializing in basketball. In high school, he was a two-way player for the West Nassau (Fla) football team, excelling primarily as a free safety and occasionally taking snaps as a quarterback. His football statistics are impressive; Coleman recorded a total of 114 tackles, 16 pass breakups, 6 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries, along with a tackle for loss throughout his high school career. He also notched 154 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns over 20 games.

The UCF football program has seen a trend of successfully transitioning basketball players into football roles, with tight ends coach Steve Cooper having a notable track record in this area. Cooper previously helped former basketball player Julius Thomas achieve an All-Pro status in the NFL as a tight end, indicating that Coleman’s shift could lead to promising outcomes in his new sport.

Coleman’s decision comes amid a challenging phase for UCF’s men’s basketball program, which has faced difficulties establishing a consistent competitive presence in the Big 12 Conference. In the recent seasons, UCF defeated three ranked teams but struggled to make it to the NCAA tournament, marking six seasons without an appearance.

Despite these challenges, UCF’s athletics director has noted that the men’s basketball program is at its strongest since his arrival in February 2021. The Knights have recently secured back-to-back bids to the NIT in 2022-23 and 2023-24, focusing on enhancing the program’s resources to compete effectively in the Big 12. The football program, meanwhile, has been active in the transfer market, adding 14 newcomers this offseason to fortify its roster.

As Coleman begins this next chapter of his athletic journey, both the football and basketball programs at UCF are navigating their respective challenges and opportunities for growth. The coaching staff’s enthusiasm for Coleman’s new role reflects a positive outlook on his potential contributions to the football team.