After twelve years of being Head Coach, George O’Leary has confirmed that his retirement from his position which is effect immediately.
Just two weeks ago, O’Leary also announced his retirement as the University’s interim athletic director and on Sunday afternoon released at statement pertaining to his release as head football coach. “After the 2013 championship season and Fiesta Bowl win I expressed my intention to retire at that time. After significant discussion with the UCF administration, I reconsidered and agreed to coach two additional seasons, 2014 and 2015. The administration has always been aware of my plan to retire after this season.”
Under the leadership of O’Leary, the football team held a 81-68 record, appeared in seven bowl games , won the Fiesta Bowl and two other conference titles. Despite, the 0-8 record the teams has so far this season, many are choosing to remember O’Leary for all the greatness he brought to the teams program. ” Coach O’Leary should be remembered and praised for the incredible things he did for our University. He directed us to places that were only a far off dream when he started in 2004, ” one student stated on Twitter.
O’Leary’s first season at UCF wasn’t a pretty one either. The Knights posted their worst season in school history with an 0-11 record with O’Leary as Head Coach back in 2004. The next year the team recuperated after joining the Conference USA and ended the year with a 8-3 record.
Off the field, O’Leary has overseen that his players exceed academically as well. In the 2014 Graduation Success Rates, UCF was at a 90 percent rate which was the 10th highest among all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools, third among public institutions and first in the state of Florida and in the conference.In the spring of 2015, UCF’s APR (Academic Progress Rate) was announced at 977, placing the team at 18th overall among all FBS schools, first in the state and 22 points higher than the average team. UCF became the the first football program in C-USA history to have a team GPA of at least 3.0.
For the meantime, UCF has announced Quarterback Coach, Danny Barrett to replace O’Leary as head coach.