Johnny Dawkins aims to make meaningful change at UCF

UCF basketball players told athletics director Danny White during a private meeting two weeks ago they wanted their next head coach to possess strong defensive principles, be a disciplinarian and have a background playing and coaching at a high level.

On Wednesday, White introduced them to former Duke star Johnny Dawkins. Just 24 hours later, Dawkins formally introduced himself to the public during his first press conference as the Knights' head coach at CFE Arena.

"I felt that this was a place where I could make meaningful change and love to be a part of that," Dawkins said. "People don't understand my entire history in this game, but I've always been a part of trying to achieve something…