ORLANDO — McKenzie Milton, one of the most iconic players to don a UCF uniform, is returning to Orlando as the Knights’ quarterbacks coach, head coach Scott Frost announced Tuesday.
A two-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, earning the honor under Frost during his first stint at UCF in 2017, Milton led the Black and Gold to a 27-6 overall record as the starter under center and led the Knights to two AAC Championships and consecutive New Year’s Six Bowl Games.
“I'm beyond excited to be back in Orlando and part of the UCF family once again," Milton said. "UCF holds such a special place in my heart, and to return as quarterbacks coach is truly an honor. I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside Coach Frost, who has been such a pivotal figure in my career.
“I can't wait to help develop the next generation of Knights and build on the incredible tradition of success we've established here at UCF. Charge On!”
Milton joins the Knights following two seasons as an offensive analyst at Tennessee, helping the Volunteers compile a 10-2 record this season and earn a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
A native of Kapolei, Hawaii, Milton threw for 8,683 yards and 72 touchdowns during his time in a UCF uniform. His 9,761 yards of total offense rank third in program record books. He was responsible for 92 touchdowns and owned a 61.8 completion percentage, the sixth best in program history.
Milton enjoyed an historic 2017 National Championship campaign to lead the Knights to a perfect 13-0 season, highlighted by a victory over Auburn in the Peach Bowl. He set UCF single-season program records for passing yards (4,037) and passing touchdowns (37). He ranked in the top 10 nationally in both statistics, finishing fourth in passing TDs and seventh in passing yards.
Additionally, he was second in passing efficiency with a 179.3 mark and ninth in passing yards per game (310.5) in 2017. Milton was fourth in the country in total offense, averaging 357.7 total yards per game.
Milton was named the winner of the 2017 Touchdown Club of Columbus Archie Griffin Award. The award, named for the Ohio State football legend and only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, is the only nationally-recognized award presented at the conclusion of all bowl games and represents college football's Most Valuable Player for the entire season.
Following the 2018 season, Milton finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting and was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He passed for 2,663 yards with 25 touchdowns and was a semifinalist for the Maxwell, Walter Camp and Davey O’Brien Award. Milton finished the regular season ranked third nationally in passing yards per completion (15.57) and ninth in passing efficiency (161.0).
After suffering a major leg injury in 2018, Milton made his return to the field in 2020 and earned the 2021 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year.
Milton earned his undergraduate degree from UCF in sport and exercise science in December 2019 before completing a master's degree in educational leadership in May 2022.
Cooper tabbed Offensive Coordinator
Steve Cooper, who spent four seasons with new UCF head coach Scott Frost at Nebraska, has been named the Knights’ offensive coordinator, Frost announced Wednesday.
Cooper joins the Black and Gold following a season as an offensive analyst at Boise State, helping the Broncos earn a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff and win the Mountain West Conference Championship.
“First off, I want to express my deepest appreciation to Coach Frost for believing in me and offering this incredible opportunity to join Knight Nation as offensive coordinator,” said Cooper. “I’m beyond excited to contribute to this program’s rich tradition of offensive innovation and success. The energy, the passion, and the culture here are unmatched, and I can’t wait to get to work with these talented student-athletes and the amazing Knight community.”
With Cooper’s assistance, Boise State compiled a 12-1 record and earned the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. Boise State’s running back Ashton Jeanty is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and leads the nation in rushing yards (2,497) and rushing touchdowns (29).
The Broncos rank fourth nationally in scoring offense (39.1 points per game) and sixth nationally in rushing offense (250.5 yards per game).
Cooper spent the 2023 season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Maine, leading the Black Bears to the 10th-ranked passing offense in FCS with 3,081 yards. Under his direction, quarterback Derek Robertson finished the season ranked ninth nationally with 25 passing touchdowns. He ranked seventh in FCS with 2,993 passing yards and set a school record with 503 passing yards against Campbell.
His time at Maine followed four years at Nebraska (2018-22) where he served in various roles including senior offensive analyst (2022), interim quarterbacks coach (2021) and offensive quality control (2018-21).
In that span, Cooper mentored Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez. Under Cooper's guidance, Martinez's 295.1 passing yards per game ranked first among FBS freshmen and 15th overall in the country. His 7,404 total yards marked the fourth highest on Nebraska's all-time list for total yards, while his 64.2 completion percentage was second in Nebraska history.
In 2021, Cooper served as interim quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator where he was responsible for the game plan against Wisconsin and Iowa. During those games, Nebraska averaged 390 yards of offense against a Wisconsin team with the No. 4-ranked total defense and the Hawkeyes, who ranked 13th in total defense.
Cooper spent eight years (2010-17) in various full-time coaching capacities at his alma mater, Portland State. He started as the tight ends coach in 2010 before shifting over to coach the receivers (2011-14) where he guided Kasey Closs to all-conference honors, ranking 13th in FCS in receiving yardage (1,167 yards on 63 receptions).
During his final three years (2015-17) at Portland State, Cooper was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Vikings where his offense scored the second-most points in school history in 2015. That season, he led a dynamic Portland State offense that recorded the largest margin of victory by an FCS school over an FBS program in a dominant 66-7 victory against North Texas. He also mentored quarterback Alex Kuresa to Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year honors.
Cooper graduated from Portland State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy and was a two-time letterwinner at wide receiver for the Vikings, taking part in the top-ranked passing offense in FCS for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He was also a two-year member of Oregon State’s football team in 2005-06.
