New UCF head coach Josh Heupel could still coach Missouri offense in Texas Bowl

Though Missouri Tigers offensive coordinator Josh Heupel was announced as the new head coach of the Central Florida Knights on Tuesday, he may still coach the Tigers against the Texas Longhorns in the Texas Bowl, according to a spokesperson for the Tigers.

If Heupel does decide to remain in Columbia until late in December, he would miss the opportunity to recruit for the Knights before the start of the dead period that runs for nearly a month. In the past, that would be less of a setback than it would be now with the early signing period.

The Central Florida class is in solid shape with 17 commitments and a third-place ranking in the American Athletic Conference, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, but some of those pledges could be wavering with the departure of Scott Frost for Nebraska.

Heupel may feel some loyalty towards Missouri head coach Barry Odom after being rescued from Utah State and given the opportunity that led to his first head coaching job, but it would be an odd decision for Heupel to give up this critical period of recruiting and delay focusing on his new job.