The Danny Barrett era has begun.
It may only last four games, but UCF's interim coach has made it known that he wants to be considered for the permanent job to replace longtime coach George O'Leary, who retired and stepped down on Sunday after 12 seasons.
It's not Barrett's first rodeo as a head coach as he did lead the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders for seven years.
"It's a different energy," defensive tackle Jamiyus Pittman said of Barrett. "He's more motivational. He's still all business though."
Added running back Dontravious Wilson: "He's more of a player's coach. He gets more involved with the players than Coach O'Leary did. Other than that, it's pretty much the same."
To make things even more interesting, Barrett's first game as interim coach happens to be against his alma mater, Cincinnati. He was a standout quarterback for the Bearcats from 1979-82, earning a spot in the Bearcats' Hall of Fame.
"A few of my former teammates have said they'll be there in support of myself," Barrett said. "I can tell you it's probably going to be an emotional moment at the start of the game, realizing you're back where you played your college career. It will be my first time back in the stadium for a game since I left in 1982. It's a special feeling coming back as a head coach for UCF."
Kickoff from Cincinnati's newly-renovated Nippert Stadium is set for 12 noon with television coverage on ESPNews.
Here's a look at every game involving the American.
https://ucf.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1819672
