Report: George O'Leary is getting a statue at UCF

Nick Bromberg
George O'Leary was 81-68 in his UCF tenure (Getty Images).
George O’Leary was 81-68 in his UCF tenure (Getty Images).

Former Central Florida coach George O’Leary is reportedly going to be honored with a statue near UCF’s stadium.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the statue is expected to be completed “sometime” in 2017. O’Leary stepped down from his post as UCF’s coach during the 2015 season and the school hired Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost as his permanent replacement.

O’Leary came to UCF in 2004 after a two-year hiatus from being a head coach. He was initially hired by Notre Dame from Georgia Tech in 2001, but was forced to resign shortly after he was hired because of issues with his resume.

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He bookended his career at UCF with winless seasons. The Knights were 0-11 in O’Leary’s first year, and finished 2015 at 0-12. O’Leary resigned with four games to go in the 2015 season after he also temporarily served as the school’s interim athletic director.

In between the futility, UCF rose to national prominence. The success culminated in 2013 with a Fiesta Bowl win over Baylor to cap a 12-1 season; the final of four 10+ win seasons under O’Leary’s reign.

UCF’s success under O’Leary is also a reason why the school is being mentioned as a long-shot Big 12 candidate. Without those seven bowl appearances in his tenure, it’s unlikely the school even gets a glance during the Big 12’s expansion dance.

However, it’s also very fair to question UCF’s choice to build the statue as well. O’Leary received considerable scrutiny for his role in the 2008 death of UCF running back Ereck Plancher, who died after a conditioning workout. UCF was found guilty of negligence regarding Plancher’s death.

The team was also banned from a bowl appearance in 2012 as part of NCAA allegations that involved more than the football team.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!