FRISCO, Texas — UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir knows football drives everything.

Speaking with the Sons of UCF during Big 12 Football Media Days, Mohajir didn’t shy away from acknowledging the disappointment surrounding consecutive losing seasons, but remained adamant the Knights are positioned for a turnaround under second-year head coach Scott Frost.

“It’s everything,” Mohajir said when asked about the pressure to get football back on track. “That’s who I am, making sure football is where it needs to be. One hundred percent.”

While UCF has celebrated success across its athletic department—11 of its 16 programs reached postseason play last year—Mohajir understands the perception of the entire department begins with football.

“I feel like we’re on the right track,” he said. “There was an explosion of transitioning into the Big 12, revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal. There were a lot of variables all hitting at the same time.”

Quarterback play remains the key

Mohajir pointed to a trend he believes explains much of UCF’s football history, and underscores the importance of player evaluation and development.

The Knights’ greatest seasons, he noted, coincided with standout quarterback play from Daunte Culpepper, Blake Bortles, McKenzie Milton and, Dillon Gabriel.

“When we’ve had those generational quarterbacks, we’ve won at a really high level,” Mohajir said. “When we haven’t, we’re about a .500 program.”

For Mohajir, the formula hasn’t changed despite NIL and revenue sharing now being a part of the equation.

“You’ve got to evaluate the right players, you’ve got to develop them, and you’ve got to bring in kids who want to be coached.”

Embracing college athletics’ new reality

Rather than lament the rapidly changing landscape of college sports, Mohajir said UCF has chosen to embrace it.

“You can either fight it or embrace it,” he said. “We choose to embrace it.”

Mohajir believes many people underestimate how dramatically college athletics has changed since UCF’s undefeated 2017 season.

“I think people that don’t recognize the differences in the landscape from 2017 to now… it’s completely different.”

Revenue sharing, NIL, transfer portal rules, and constant legal challenges have transformed roster management.

Mohajir said the lack of consistent national rules has become one of the biggest frustrations for athletic directors.

“The hardest thing about the last three years has been not knowing what the rules are,” he said. “How do you have strategic plans when the rules change on a daily basis?”

He again called for congressional action to provide schools with clearer governance and legal protections.

Confidence in Scott Frost

Eighteen months after bringing Frost back to Orlando, Mohajir said he remains confident the former UCF coach is building the program the right way.

“He loves coaching,” Mohajir said. “He loves the guys on the team.”

Mohajir credited Frost for navigating one of the most difficult roster rebuilds in recent memory after inheriting a depleted roster during the coaching transition.

“He had to bring in 70 guys,” Mohajir said. “I thought he did a really good job.”

The athletic director described himself as a sounding board for Frost, saying the two speak regularly throughout the season.

“I check in with him every Monday after games,” Mohajir said. “Whatever he needs.”

No panic despite questions about fan buzz

When asked about what some perceive as limited excitement surrounding the upcoming football season, Mohajir acknowledged that winning is ultimately the cure.

“You just have to win to create a buzz,” he said. “You can create a buzz in one week.”

While preseason projections place UCF near the middle of the Big 12 standings, Mohajir said expectations inside the program remain much higher.

“I know we’re expecting more.”

Facilities continue to evolve

Beyond football, Mohajir highlighted the continued transformation of UCF’s athletic facilities.

The Roth Tower renovation at the Bounce House is expected to generate new revenue once fully operational, with suites already sold out and premium seating nearing capacity. While Mohajir provided projections of the potential increase, exact figures are still being evaluated.

He also confirmed UCF plans to pursue additional Tourist Development Tax funding while also unveiling a broader athletic facilities master plan in the coming months.

That plan will address future upgrades across multiple sports, including baseball, softball, soccer, and track and field.

“We’re going to continue to build our infrastructure,” Mohajir said.

The UCF brand is still growing

Although UCF has enjoyed national exposure over the past decade, Mohajir believes the program is still establishing itself among college football’s elite.

“I think the brand of UCF is emerging,” he said. “People still see us as a sleeping giant.”

He pointed out that even some members of the national media remain unfamiliar with UCF’s place in the college athletics landscape.

“We have people in our own league that don’t even know where UCF is.”

For Mohajir, that only reinforces his belief that the Knights are still climbing.

Looking ahead

Mohajir expressed optimism about the future of the athletic department despite recent football setbacks.

He pointed to conference championships across multiple sports, increased commercial revenue, improved facilities, and what he believes is a stronger organizational foundation.

“We’ve transitioned. We’ve level-set our program. We’re competitively resourced,” Mohajir said.

“I feel like we’re in the right space.”

Now, he says, the next step is simple.

Win football games.