Charlie Strong to UCF talk accelerating

George O'Leary's troubles at UCF have exploded over the past week.  Last off season, UCF player Ereck Plancher collapsed and died during a workout session.  An enormous amount of controversy followed the player's death with questions around the amount of transparency provided into the subsequent investigation. 

In the fallout, George O'Leary essentially went to war with his local paper.  A stupid move given that the Orlando paper was the only paper covering his program. 

O'Leary's o'problems were o'compounded by a 4-8 season which was highlighted by a season ending shut out loss at home to the Fighting Callaway's of Birmingham (Note: See...I don't always say negative things about Neil C.)    His problems hit nuclear levels when another player, Brandon Davis, collapsed and was taken to the hospital during workouts a few days ago.

To quote Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, "Either UCF's coaches and training staff are very unlucky or very stupid. Either way, O'Leary must go."  Since the Orlando paper called for O'Leary's head yesterday, things have further escalated.  Today, UCF's president is expected to discuss the findings of his investigation into Brandon Davis' situation.

All of this is a shock to O'Leary as his resume credits him with an M.D. in Sports Medicine from the Mayo Clinic and a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism from Columbia.

The Charlie Strong Issue
InsideKnights.com / Scout.com are reporting that O'Leary will be forced out at UCF in the wake of this saga as early as tomorrow.  They are also reporting that Charlie Strong, UF's defensive coordinator, is already in discussions to take over the head coaching position.  The Orlando Sentinel says, not so fast. 

According to the Scout.com article, Strong has recruited at least 15 current Gators from the central Florida region.  He would be the ideal hire for that program.  This is a situation to keep an eye on for Georgia fans.

Florida has already lost its offensive coordinator to Mississippi State.  Losing an elite defensive coordinator would be another negative for Meyer's program.  Additionally, defensive line coach Dan McCarney is a finalist for a head coaching position out west.  McCarney, the former head coach at Iowa State, completely revamped the Gator DL this year, and he is a solid position coach.

Keep your eye on this one for more news.

PWD


BTW -- Karma's a bitch George.  Jasper was down.