UCF has strengthened its football coaching staff by hiring veteran offensive line coach AJ Blazek, who will join the Knights for the 2026 season. This decision fills the second of two open spots in the coaching ranks as the Knights look to improve after a challenging season.
Blazek, a native of Wichita, Kansas, brings a wealth of experience with him, having spent the last two seasons as the offensive line coach at Wisconsin. His tenure there, however, ended after the Badgers recorded a 4-8 season, and he did not retain his position. During Blazek’s coaching career, he has worked at various institutions, including Vanderbilt, Rutgers, and North Dakota State, totaling 13 years at the Division I level.
His coaching prowess is acknowledged by his peers, including Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, who praised Blazek for his understanding of both the game and the specific skills needed for effective offensive line play. Ferentz noted, “He’s got a feel for people, certainly for the game and specifically what it entails to be a good lineman or a good line coach.” This reflects the high expectations UCF has for Blazek as he takes on his new role.
In analyzing Blazek’s recent performance, Pro Football Focus highlighted some challenges faced by the Wisconsin offensive line during the 2025 season, where they ranked 85th in pass blocking and 107th in run blocking. Interestingly, the prior season saw significant improvement as they ranked fourth and 38th, respectively, suggesting potential fluctuations in performance.
In addition to his coaching skills, Blazek also has a successful track record in recruiting, having secured two prominent Orlando-area offensive line prospects during his time at Vanderbilt, including Under Armour All-American Josh Raymond and Leyton Nelson.
Blazek takes over after UCF mourned the loss of Shawn Clark, who passed away at the age of 50 following medical complications. Alex Farah, previously in a quality control role, has been promoted to assistant offensive line coach. Additionally, Danny Hope, who has previous connections to Clark, joined the staff to provide interim support.
With Blazek’s expertise and strategic approach, UCF fans can look forward to a renewed commitment to building a strong offensive line and a promising future for the Knights as they prepare for the upcoming season.