The most bizarre story of the college football season just keeps on giving.
Former UCF offensive coordinator Troy Walters, who followed head coach Scott Frost to Nebraska, posted a tweet on Tuesday showing off his “national championship” ring that the Knights had made in honor of their 13-0 season. Instead of actually calling it that however, Walters referred to the hardware as his “Peach Bowl and AAC Championship” ring in all capital letters.
My PEACH BOWL & AAC CHAMPIONSHIP ring came today. Honored to be a part of a Blessed team and season #13-0 #Glory2God pic.twitter.com/47w0jsFVHq
— Troy Walters® (@CoachWalters1) April 24, 2018
That was enough to arouse the ire of the UCF fanbase, who soon hit back at Walters in the replies for refusing to acknowledge the supposed national title.
Don't you mean NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ring coach?
— Adam (@adamUCF) April 24, 2018
— UCF National Champs (@Johnson21867) April 24, 2018
You just couldn't say it, could you. After all those years, seeing the program come from nothing?
— Wasted Space (@_Wasted_Space_) April 24, 2018
Snakes always find the grass.
— UCFChad (@ChadUcf) April 24, 2018
If you aren't going to call it a national championship, that's fine… but does that mean you going to give back your national championship bonus? I believe it was approximately $40,000
— Dave Comolli (@ComolliDave) April 24, 2018
lol you’re a fraud. Just stop mentioning UCF from now on, we don’t want your fake love.
— connor (@UrbonC5) April 25, 2018
If you weren’t salty about not getting the HC job you would be calling them National Champions
— Willy P (@WillP888) April 24, 2018
Walters even went out of his way to explain to one user why he phrased his tweet the way that he did. But he was then hit with the receipts by another user, leading to more contempt and derision from the Knights fanbase.
Out of all the NC talk, this one hurts the most. Funny though, I bet he had no problem cashing that bonus check. Way to dig your own grave buddy. Nice way to disrespect your former players and UCF family.
— Libby (@libs8280) April 24, 2018
Personally and professionally speaking, I am a national champion when I win the National championship game. I wish we could have had this opportunity because we were playing at a high level. If someone else wants to proclaim and pay me as a national champion then that’s on them
— Troy Walters® (@CoachWalters1) April 24, 2018
And here you call then “National Championship” rings? pic.twitter.com/xl9JGksxt2
— TJ Brown (@TJBrown1) April 24, 2018
Thank you for finding these. I remember him being the loudest of all about the NC rings. I guess the Red is going to his head. What a disappointment.
— Libby (@libs8280) April 24, 2018
Crazy how quick you can go from recognizing your National Champions rings to not recognizing it. Power 5 stooge. Enjoy your 8-4 seasons at Nebraska. pic.twitter.com/NDDVmtn4uQ
— TJ Brown (@TJBrown1) April 24, 2018
As a UCF fan that previously wanted you to get the head job this is pretty disappointing. Why even go out of your way to make this post and spit in the face of your former players and fans. Especially since you previously embraced the National Championship talk. Lack of class.
— ucfjay (@ucfjay) April 25, 2018
The 41-year-old Walters served as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at UCF for two seasons from 2016 to 2017. During that time, he presided over one of the highest-powered attacks in the country.
Walters left in December to take the same position at Nebraska however, and now it is clear the bridge is all but burned between him and the UCF faithful. What is worth wondering though is if the Knights felt more disrespected by Walters’ tweet or by this other recent ring-based slight.
