When Trovon Reed hears UCF coach Gus Malzahn’s voice during football practice, it sometimes takes the first-year cornerback coach back to 2013 and the Plains of Auburn.

Reed was entering his senior season with the Tigers after switching from receiver to cornerback.

Auburn was coming off a 3-9 season, and Malzahn had been hired to replace Gene Chizik as head coach.

“When he showed up at Auburn, he had a chip on his shoulder,” Reed said. “We went from 3-9 to the national championship [game]. So if anybody in this building believes in him, it’s me. I know what he instilled in me to this day.”

Reed reunited with Malzahn as part of a coaching staff shakeup after UCF went 6-7 in its first Big 12 season.

“I’m sure he didn’t sleep well at night,” said Reed. “He hates losing probably more than he loves winning. I’ve seen him in his element and I’ve seen him be down like this before and I know what comes with this and I’m ready.”

Last season was unlike any other under Malzahn.

UCF opened strong with three consecutive wins but lost starting quarterback John Rhys Plumlee to a knee injury in the final minutes of a last-second win over Boise State on Sept. 9. The team opened Big 12 play at Kansas State, losing to the Wildcats, 44-31. It was the start of what would be a five-game losing streak.

The Knights rebounded to defeat Cincinnati for their first conference win on Nov. 4 and carried that momentum through to a stunning 45-3 home win vs. No. 15 Oklahoma State. A blocked extra point in the closing seconds at Texas Tech sent them to a 24-23 loss, forcing UCF to beat Houston to become bowl-eligible for the eighth consecutive season.

A loss to Georgia Tech in the Gasparilla Bowl handed the program its first losing season since 2016. It also was Malzahn’s first losing record as a college coach.

His response was to evaluate every aspect of the program, himself included.

“I talked about self-evaluation and it starts with the head coach,” said Malzahn. “[It’s about] getting back to me and the team taking on my personality. We weren’t a disciplined team or a hard-nosed physical edge team like I’ve had in the past and that starts with me.”

The coaching staff underwent changes, including hiring Tim Harris Jr. (offense) and Ted Roof (defense) as coordinators. Malzahn also retooled the strength and conditioning staff, bringing in another former Auburn favorite in Anthony Kincy.

Depth had been a concern for the Knights in Year 1, so Malzahn and his coaching staff were relentless on the recruiting trail, adding a top-30 high school class — the best in program history — along with 27 newcomers via the transfer portal.

“We also talk about quality, depth and real experience,” said Malzahn. “We’ve got a lot of experience, not just coming back, but guys from different programs with quality experience.”

Those players who have been around the program have already noticed the difference.

“You’re going to see a more disciplined team than last year,” said fifth-year running back RJ Harvey. “There were times throughout the season where we beat ourselves. This year, we’re going to be more disciplined and it’s going to be fun.”

Perhaps the most significant focus players have noticed is the extra attention with most minor details.

UCF was tied or leading in the second half of five of its seven losses.

Many believe those finishes, particularly an 18-point blown lead to Baylor, can be fixed.

“The small details matter,” said fifth-year receiver Kobe Hudson. “Turnovers, special teams, penalties — all of that is big-time. The more clean football we play, the more opportunities we have to win games. It puts us in the best position possible to win the championship.”

Said redshirt junior defensive end Malachi Lawrence: “We’ve got to finish those close games. The close games, the one-possession games — the little things will help us win those games.”

Added offensive tackle Paul Rubelt: “It can be close between having a season like last year and a winning season.”

Reed believes his former coach and new boss will have things turned around. He saw it happen at Auburn.

“‘Whatever you need, Coach, I will do it,'” Reed said. “‘If you need me to hold the kicks, I will do it. If I’ve got to go over it with the snappers, I’ll do it because I know you’re a winner. I know you know how to win. I know you took a broken team [Auburn in 2013] and put them back together, piece by piece.’

“Whatever he says it takes to win, I’m front line. I’m ready. I don’t need any armor. I’m on the frontline with the coach.”

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com