We all knew this day was coming. The past few weeks have been building towards it. George O'Leary appeared to try his hardest to put off the inevitable, still hoping he could finish out the season. That was always the plan, even when the season started to spiral out of control.
After Saturday's 59-10 beat-down by Houston, the pressure became too much. UCF needed GOL to come clean on what he's known all along - this would be his last season coaching football at UCF. The fanbase was clamoring for answers, the empty seats and suites in Bright House were becoming far too noticeable. The problem is, GOL wanted no part of a "farewell tour." So if it had to come out that this was GOL's last season, he saw no other option than to walk away. That's just his style.
The WKMG contract fuss was purely coincidental, in my opinion. They wanted to see the contract just to see the contract, what potential buy-outs might be included and whether Brent Key was truly the head-coach-in-waiting. I don't think they knew what they were getting into. There was a reason GOL didn't want his contract released. The top secret element was that GOL's contract ended after this season - which in a perfect world would have seamlessly transitioned into the Brent Key era. As I posted last week and now has become official, Key will get a $700,000 payment since he will not be the next head coach at UCF.
On Saturday night, I heard things were imminent. Hitt had met with GOL and negotiations were taking place on how to proceed with the exit. That's why I made a couple cryptic posts last night. I knew something was happening, just didn't know how it would come out or when. Many more people said earlier on Sunday GOL would be announcing something today.
It's probably for the best, stepping aside immediately. Players are playing scared, afraid to make a mistake. The yelling and benching as punishment might fly with veteran teams, but this is a young team that you can't necessarily handle like that. I think GOL had run out of answers. His comments of late were pretty telling, the annoyance with the "my bad" guys, saying players lack a "want to," etc. He was clearly frustrated with this team.
Heard the team meeting was brief. GOL came in and addressed the players, maybe got out a few sentences. Right away he said he was retiring, wished them well the rest of the season, said to make sure they get their degrees and then walked out. Big rah-rah speeches aren't his style. Danny Barrett told the players to play for school and pride over the next four games. Questions were asked. It was said to be a somber atmosphere, very quiet. It was acknowledged that most if not all of the coaches and staff would not be here next year. The team was given the day off from practice on Monday.
I'll break down some of the coaching buzz in the coming days. Parker Executive was already in line to assist with that search. Obviously hiring the AD will be important. As I said last week, they hope to finalize on a AD name here in the early part of November so whoever it is can start by Dec. 1. At the end of the day though, Hitt will be just as involved in the head coach search.
From here on out, Danny Barrett is the head coach. He'll do the press conference tomorrow and the radio show on Tuesday night. I'm assuming the Lunches would continue, but there's a few weeks to worry about that. Interestingly enough, Barrett is a Cincinnati grad and a member of their Hall of Fame.
It doesn't appear GOL will do a parting press conference. I'm guessing he might get with Pat Clarke of WESH at some point in the future. That's always been his favorite media guy. Kind of amazing to to go out like this without a press conference. Oh well. He simply tolerated me, I always got the sense I was just the king of the FIWs to him. Personally, I loved GOL. Sure, he was kind of grouchy at times, but I loved his candor. He certainly made for an entertaining 12 years here in the Dungeon.
I knew this would happen today, but it still seems somewhat surreal. Although I can't say I really had a close relationship with him, GOL was in essence a huge part of my life and what I did day-to-day, going on for 12 years. My head is kind of swimming right now. I always liked Brent Key, I'm disappointed things didn't turn out like everybody hoped. He'll be okay though. He's being compensated well and will be able to latch on to the Bill O'Brien/George Godsey tree. Godsey is an up-and-comer. It might take a different path, but I'm sure he'll get his shot again.
I'm thinking tonight of all the other people... I know it's a business and you know what you sign up for, but some of the other coaches, people in the support staff, etc. are probably wondering what's going to happen to them. Odds are, a new head coach will clean house. Some will probably have an opportunity to stay, but it's too early to guess.
Godspeed and Charge On, GOL.
I'll have much more in the days to come - I intentionally limited this to basically the stuff I heard about today. I know I'll learn even more tomorrow.
After Saturday's 59-10 beat-down by Houston, the pressure became too much. UCF needed GOL to come clean on what he's known all along - this would be his last season coaching football at UCF. The fanbase was clamoring for answers, the empty seats and suites in Bright House were becoming far too noticeable. The problem is, GOL wanted no part of a "farewell tour." So if it had to come out that this was GOL's last season, he saw no other option than to walk away. That's just his style.
The WKMG contract fuss was purely coincidental, in my opinion. They wanted to see the contract just to see the contract, what potential buy-outs might be included and whether Brent Key was truly the head-coach-in-waiting. I don't think they knew what they were getting into. There was a reason GOL didn't want his contract released. The top secret element was that GOL's contract ended after this season - which in a perfect world would have seamlessly transitioned into the Brent Key era. As I posted last week and now has become official, Key will get a $700,000 payment since he will not be the next head coach at UCF.
On Saturday night, I heard things were imminent. Hitt had met with GOL and negotiations were taking place on how to proceed with the exit. That's why I made a couple cryptic posts last night. I knew something was happening, just didn't know how it would come out or when. Many more people said earlier on Sunday GOL would be announcing something today.
It's probably for the best, stepping aside immediately. Players are playing scared, afraid to make a mistake. The yelling and benching as punishment might fly with veteran teams, but this is a young team that you can't necessarily handle like that. I think GOL had run out of answers. His comments of late were pretty telling, the annoyance with the "my bad" guys, saying players lack a "want to," etc. He was clearly frustrated with this team.
Heard the team meeting was brief. GOL came in and addressed the players, maybe got out a few sentences. Right away he said he was retiring, wished them well the rest of the season, said to make sure they get their degrees and then walked out. Big rah-rah speeches aren't his style. Danny Barrett told the players to play for school and pride over the next four games. Questions were asked. It was said to be a somber atmosphere, very quiet. It was acknowledged that most if not all of the coaches and staff would not be here next year. The team was given the day off from practice on Monday.
I'll break down some of the coaching buzz in the coming days. Parker Executive was already in line to assist with that search. Obviously hiring the AD will be important. As I said last week, they hope to finalize on a AD name here in the early part of November so whoever it is can start by Dec. 1. At the end of the day though, Hitt will be just as involved in the head coach search.
From here on out, Danny Barrett is the head coach. He'll do the press conference tomorrow and the radio show on Tuesday night. I'm assuming the Lunches would continue, but there's a few weeks to worry about that. Interestingly enough, Barrett is a Cincinnati grad and a member of their Hall of Fame.
It doesn't appear GOL will do a parting press conference. I'm guessing he might get with Pat Clarke of WESH at some point in the future. That's always been his favorite media guy. Kind of amazing to to go out like this without a press conference. Oh well. He simply tolerated me, I always got the sense I was just the king of the FIWs to him. Personally, I loved GOL. Sure, he was kind of grouchy at times, but I loved his candor. He certainly made for an entertaining 12 years here in the Dungeon.
I knew this would happen today, but it still seems somewhat surreal. Although I can't say I really had a close relationship with him, GOL was in essence a huge part of my life and what I did day-to-day, going on for 12 years. My head is kind of swimming right now. I always liked Brent Key, I'm disappointed things didn't turn out like everybody hoped. He'll be okay though. He's being compensated well and will be able to latch on to the Bill O'Brien/George Godsey tree. Godsey is an up-and-comer. It might take a different path, but I'm sure he'll get his shot again.
I'm thinking tonight of all the other people... I know it's a business and you know what you sign up for, but some of the other coaches, people in the support staff, etc. are probably wondering what's going to happen to them. Odds are, a new head coach will clean house. Some will probably have an opportunity to stay, but it's too early to guess.
Godspeed and Charge On, GOL.
I'll have much more in the days to come - I intentionally limited this to basically the stuff I heard about today. I know I'll learn even more tomorrow.
