Josh Heupel and Kirk Ferentz in a video transcript

Citrus Bowl Head Coaches Meet with Media on Sunday Morning in Orlando

JOSH HEUPEL: Good morning to all of you. For our players, families, and staff, this has been a fantastic week. I’d like to express my gratitude to Steve Hogan and everyone at Florida Citrus Sports. It’s an excellent operation. They’ve done an amazing job providing a wonderful experience and looking after everyone for the entire week. Being back in the wonderful city of Orlando has been enjoyable for my wife, me, and many of our employees. Having spent three years here, I have many wonderful memories, and it has been enjoyable to re-connect with many familiar faces from both the UCF community and the wider community.

It has been enjoyable to sort of circle back and catch up with many of the people who have supported me along the way and contributed to our previous stop’s success at UCF.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s game. This major college football matchup is a fantastic way to start 2024. We honor the work that Coach Ferentz and his team have done not only this year but also throughout his tenure with their program. They are very physical, intelligent, and tough players. Fantastic opponent, eager to get started.

Kirk Ferentz: It’s the same. First and foremost, it is wonderful to be here. I attended an event last night, and we were here two years ago. I was a defensive coordinator for Coach Fry’s staff in the 1980s, and I worked with a man named Bill Brashier. “There is no such thing as a bad Bowl game,” he used to say. Some simply excel in certain areas.”

This is among the greatest options available, as I can personally attest. Everyone involved—our players first and foremost, staff, families, and the travel party—had a wonderful time. It has simply been exceptional.

Steve and the entire committee do an amazing job, as Josh mentioned. We are overjoyed to be back in Orlando and to have the opportunity to participate in a match like this.

Bowling matches hold a unique significance. They truly are unique. They hold special meaning for both the players and all those associated with them. Being a part of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando is an incredible opportunity for us. That is greatly appreciated by us.