Malzahn, who managed a 28-24 record over four seasons with the Knights, is set to address the offensive struggles at Florida State following a difficult campaign.

In a statement released by UCF, a spokesperson expressed gratitude for Malzahn's efforts, particularly during the program's transition into the Big 12 Conference. "We would like to thank Coach Malzahn for his contributions to our football program over the past four seasons, including our transition into the Big 12 Conference," the spokesperson noted. "We appreciate his professionalism and dedication to our student-athletes throughout his tenure at UCF and wish he and his wife, Kristi, the very best in their future endeavors."

Malzahn’s new role comes with the challenging task of revitalizing a Florida State offense that significantly underperformed last season. The Seminoles ranked dead last nationally in total offense and scoring offense, managing only 15.8 points per game against an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schedule. This came just a year after Florida State had an impressive 13-1 season, clinching a conference championship.

The UCF Knights had been considered potential dark horses upon entering the Big 12, but the squad grappled with consistent quarterback issues. In the 2024 season, four different quarterbacks took significant snaps, leading to a disappointing 2-7 conference record and a 4-8 overall finish. This was UCF's worst performance since an 0-12 season in 2015 under George O'Leary’s direction.

Malzahn’s departure marks the end of a chapter for UCF, but his move to Florida State opens a new opportunity for him to leverage his experience in turning around struggling offenses.