Kirk Callahan Position: Defensive Backs Coach Experience: Second Year at UCF

Kirk Callahan enters his second year on the UCF coaching staff in 2013. He was hired as the Knights' defensive backs coach in February 2012, and appeared in eight games for UCF from 2003-06.

The UCF secondary received several accolades during a 2012 season which witnessed the Knights capture the Conference USA East Division, a win in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl and a 10-4 record. Kemal Ishmael was voted as the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year, A.J. Bouye earned a spot on the All-C-USA Second Team and Lyle Dankenbring received Academic All-America honors.

Ishmael and Bouye each had three interceptions on the year, with Bouye becoming the third player in UCF history to have a fumble and interception return for a touchdown in the same season. Bouye's 111 interception return yards ranked fifth in single-season history.

The duo was able take their talents to the next level when Ishmael was selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by Atlanta, while Bouye signed a free-agent deal with the Houston Texans.

Before coming back to Orlando, Callahan was a defensive graduate assistant at Florida in 2011. While with the Gators, he helped guide a defense to a No. 7 national ranking in passing defense, as well as a No. 8 mark in total defense. Florida closed out the year with a 24-17 victory over Ohio State in the Gator Bowl.

Prior to his time in Gainesville, Callahan was on the UCF staff as a student assistant in 2007. He also was a graduate assistant at North Carolina in 2008 and 2009.

A native of Seffner, Fla., Callahan graduated from Armwood High School where he played for his father, Sean, and lettered all four seasons. Callahan received Tampa Tribune All-Hillsborough County First Team honors as a senior in 2002. He also was a Florida Sports Writers Association Class 4A All-State Honorable Mention pick. That year, he collected six interceptions and returned four for touchdowns, tying Deion Sanders' state record.

Callahan is a 2008 graduate of UCF, earning his bachelor's degree in physical education. He was a teammate of current Knights' tight ends/special teams coach Mike Buscemi from 2005-06.

Coaching Experience
• UCF, 2012-Present
Defensive Backs
• Florida, 2011
Defensive Graduate Assistant
• North Carolina, 2008-09
Graduate Assistant
• UCF, 2007
Student Assistant