Recap of his Thursday appearance with Marc Daniels on The Beat of Sports.
GOL's first statement mirrored what he said in the press conference, saying a lot of people reached out to encourage him to take the job. During the season, GOL said during the season he would be a football coach from 7 to 1:30 and an AD the rest of the afternoon.
The goal to win the conference won't change, he pledges to help the university and athletic department the best he can.
What would GOL say to those who think this is a setup to him becoming permanent athletic director?
"I wouldn't read anything into this. I thoroughly enjoy coaching football... I love practice. I haven't really discussed that. I told them I'd take the job, do the best I can in both areas. I've always said I'd get out of football when I'm not efficient. That hasn't changed. As long as I think I'm still efficient and making the right decisions, I love the game of football."
On the Oklahoma president's comments about the Big 12 needing to get back to 12:
"I agree with him. There's such a revenue gap between three of the Power Five and two others because of network TV. You have to eventually expand to go to a TV network. The ACC is looking at it. The Big 12, I guess they have to eventually look at it because of the payout of the conference. It comes down to revenue gap. I'm glad somebody said it in the Big 12 that they need to expand. It could get interesting the next couple of months. We'll see what happens."
O'Leary then spoke a little more of UCF's place in the picture.
"We've got to continue the growth nationally. Obviously winning championships in all sports is critical. The big thing is revenue. All those things take a part in these decisions. We've got to continue to grow as a community and a fanbase, as an athletic program. I think Todd did a great job. There's not a lot that has to be changed. I'll make sure we're doing what we're supposed to be doing and will make key decisions with key issues coming up."
Jerry Greene asked GOL a question about the other sports on campus.
"Having coached for 47 years, I love sports, period. I buy a box at basketball. I buy season tickets for baseball. I've always supported other sports. I have an interest in winning championships and giving coaches an opportunity to win. The coaches know what kind of coach I've been and the program I run. I expect them to do the same with their programs. If not, I'll address it. Trust has been a big thing. Trust that I'll do what's best for the university and the athletic program and for all athletic programs."
Then a question about this year's football team.
"I think we're going to be a very solid football team. I really do. I was pleased with the spring, pleased with the summer conditioning, the athletes and the chemistry there. We're gonna be competitive. We really are. We've got to replace some key people, I understand. But that's what football is all about. It's next batter up, especially in the secondary and some of the receiver positions. A lot of the key components are back. We're replacing Terrance Plummer which is a big thing on defense. I think there's people in place that can do that. It's getting them the right experience and enough experience to produce on the field."
Marc asked what the "frustrating thing" was regarding expansion, perhaps some of the national misperceptions about UCF. It morphed into a commentary about fanbase.
"I think our fanbase is very active in checking expansion and all that, but we've got to be active in coming to the game and in all sports. We need to grow. I think we've gotten better, but it's still not where we need to be, not for the product we're putting on the field. I'll continue to stress it can't be absentee ballot. You need to be at the stadium. You need to show support no matter who you're playing. That's what the true fan does. We need to continue to grow in that area. I understand there's a lot of things to do in Orlando. I think attendance in all sports are critical to the growth of the programs."
Marc asked about the difficulty in scheduling.
"Well basically the FIU series was on and we canceled the one year to go to Ireland. So we had to pick them up (this year). We picked up Stanford and South Carolina. Stanford is returning the game with us. Furman game, David Hansen was involved in the schedule and tried all over the country. 'No, we don't want to play.' All the East Coast and Midwest schools and kept getting the same answer back. We're filling the (future) schedule out. Michigan, Georgia Tech, Maryland come on. We're upgrading the schedule. You want to play these people and compete against them. That's what the name of the game is. We need to strengthen our schedules in the entire program."
Interview ended with a joke whether GOL gains control of the AD's box at the stadium in addition to his existing box.
GOL's first statement mirrored what he said in the press conference, saying a lot of people reached out to encourage him to take the job. During the season, GOL said during the season he would be a football coach from 7 to 1:30 and an AD the rest of the afternoon.
The goal to win the conference won't change, he pledges to help the university and athletic department the best he can.
What would GOL say to those who think this is a setup to him becoming permanent athletic director?
"I wouldn't read anything into this. I thoroughly enjoy coaching football... I love practice. I haven't really discussed that. I told them I'd take the job, do the best I can in both areas. I've always said I'd get out of football when I'm not efficient. That hasn't changed. As long as I think I'm still efficient and making the right decisions, I love the game of football."
On the Oklahoma president's comments about the Big 12 needing to get back to 12:
"I agree with him. There's such a revenue gap between three of the Power Five and two others because of network TV. You have to eventually expand to go to a TV network. The ACC is looking at it. The Big 12, I guess they have to eventually look at it because of the payout of the conference. It comes down to revenue gap. I'm glad somebody said it in the Big 12 that they need to expand. It could get interesting the next couple of months. We'll see what happens."
O'Leary then spoke a little more of UCF's place in the picture.
"We've got to continue the growth nationally. Obviously winning championships in all sports is critical. The big thing is revenue. All those things take a part in these decisions. We've got to continue to grow as a community and a fanbase, as an athletic program. I think Todd did a great job. There's not a lot that has to be changed. I'll make sure we're doing what we're supposed to be doing and will make key decisions with key issues coming up."
Jerry Greene asked GOL a question about the other sports on campus.
"Having coached for 47 years, I love sports, period. I buy a box at basketball. I buy season tickets for baseball. I've always supported other sports. I have an interest in winning championships and giving coaches an opportunity to win. The coaches know what kind of coach I've been and the program I run. I expect them to do the same with their programs. If not, I'll address it. Trust has been a big thing. Trust that I'll do what's best for the university and the athletic program and for all athletic programs."
Then a question about this year's football team.
"I think we're going to be a very solid football team. I really do. I was pleased with the spring, pleased with the summer conditioning, the athletes and the chemistry there. We're gonna be competitive. We really are. We've got to replace some key people, I understand. But that's what football is all about. It's next batter up, especially in the secondary and some of the receiver positions. A lot of the key components are back. We're replacing Terrance Plummer which is a big thing on defense. I think there's people in place that can do that. It's getting them the right experience and enough experience to produce on the field."
Marc asked what the "frustrating thing" was regarding expansion, perhaps some of the national misperceptions about UCF. It morphed into a commentary about fanbase.
"I think our fanbase is very active in checking expansion and all that, but we've got to be active in coming to the game and in all sports. We need to grow. I think we've gotten better, but it's still not where we need to be, not for the product we're putting on the field. I'll continue to stress it can't be absentee ballot. You need to be at the stadium. You need to show support no matter who you're playing. That's what the true fan does. We need to continue to grow in that area. I understand there's a lot of things to do in Orlando. I think attendance in all sports are critical to the growth of the programs."
Marc asked about the difficulty in scheduling.
"Well basically the FIU series was on and we canceled the one year to go to Ireland. So we had to pick them up (this year). We picked up Stanford and South Carolina. Stanford is returning the game with us. Furman game, David Hansen was involved in the schedule and tried all over the country. 'No, we don't want to play.' All the East Coast and Midwest schools and kept getting the same answer back. We're filling the (future) schedule out. Michigan, Georgia Tech, Maryland come on. We're upgrading the schedule. You want to play these people and compete against them. That's what the name of the game is. We need to strengthen our schedules in the entire program."
Interview ended with a joke whether GOL gains control of the AD's box at the stadium in addition to his existing box.
