College flag football is the fastest-moving corner of the sport. Programs are forming, conferences are taking shape, and a D1 transition is on the horizon. At the center of it in Florida is UCF, and at the center of UCF is a coach who never planned on any of this. As the game grows, Coach Baroody is focused on helping shape the future of college flag football while positioning UCF for the move to D1.
How did you start coaching the women's flag football club at UCF?
I came to UCF as a regular student playing tackle football. One day, I found an intramural flag football team and quickly fell in love with the game.
I started playing coed flag, then began helping out other teams with coaching. The more I coached, the more I realized that was what I wanted to continue doing.
You recently won the Fiesta Bowl championship. What was that experience like for you and your team?
The Fiesta Bowl was an incredible experience for our team.
It was our first time competing at an event of that scale, and everything was first class. From the organization and hospitality to the level of competition, it exceeded expectations. We had the opportunity to compete against teams from the West Coast for the first time, which made winning the championship even more rewarding.
The Knights celebrating the Fiesta Bowl title.
Where do you see college flag football heading over the next few years?
I love where college flag football is heading.
The growth over the last 12 to 18 months has been incredible, and it's exciting to see so many athletes, schools, and organizations investing in the sport. At the same time, I think it's important that we grow strategically and continue building strong foundations as we go.
My hope is that people stay mindful that flag football is still evolving, and that we create an environment where everyone can learn, adapt, and grow together.
Are you incorporating stats and analytics into your day-to-day and preparation?
I haven't had a chance to fully dive into analytics yet, but I think data is one of the missing pieces in flag football.
As coaches, we spend a lot of time evaluating athletes through film. However, film doesn't always tell the whole story. You can't always accurately judge speed, athleticism, or consistency from highlights alone.
I think verified data paired with film could be incredibly valuable, especially at the college level, giving coaches a more complete picture of an athlete's abilities.
5s or 7s? Why?
7s. It feels a little closer to the football most people grew up watching, which makes it easier for athletes and fans to connect with the game.
One thing I also appreciate about flag football is the influence from other sports. There are elements that remind me of rugby, especially in terms of spacing, movement, and support. I've even seen coaches send their athletes to rugby practices to help them develop a better feel for those concepts.
Film doesn't always tell the whole story. You can't always accurately judge speed, athleticism, or consistency from highlights alone.
UCF's next chapter is the one the whole college game is watching: the transition to official D1 status. If the Knights' climb so far is any indication, they will not be easing into it.
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