Johnny Dawkins is a distinguished American basketball coach and former player, currently serving as the head coach of the University of Central Florida (UCF) men’s basketball team. Born on September 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C., Dawkins had a remarkable basketball career both as a player and a coach.
Playing Career:
- College: Dawkins played for the Duke Blue Devils from 1982 to 1986, becoming one of the team’s all-time leading scorers with 2,556 points—a record that stood until 2006. In his senior year, he averaged 20.2 points per game and received the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. He also served as an alternate on the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team.
- NBA: In the 1986 NBA Draft, Dawkins was selected 10th overall by the San Antonio Spurs. He played nine seasons in the NBA with the Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons, averaging 11.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game over his career.
Coaching Career:
- Duke University: After retiring as a player, Dawkins returned to Duke as an assistant coach in 1998 and was promoted to associate head coach in 1999. During his tenure, the Blue Devils won a national championship in 2001, along with six ACC regular-season championships and seven ACC Tournament titles.
- Stanford University: In April 2008, Dawkins became the head coach at Stanford University, where he led the team to two NIT championships in 2012 and 2015. However, he did not secure an NCAA Tournament appearance during his eight-year tenure.
- UCF: Dawkins took over as head coach at UCF in March 2016. Under his leadership, the Knights have achieved significant milestones, including a victory over the Houston Cougars in March 2019, ending Houston’s 33-game home winning streak. In the 2025 Big 12 Conference Championship, UCF, as the 14th seed, defeated the 11th-seeded Utah Utes 87-72 in the opening round. They advanced to face the Kansas Jayhawks in the quarterfinals.
Personal Life:
Dawkins is married and a father of four. He actively engages with fans through social media, including his Instagram account, where he shares insights into his personal and professional life.
Throughout his career, Johnny Dawkins has been celebrated for his contributions to basketball, both on the court and as a coach, leaving a lasting impact on the teams and players he has mentored.