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University of Central Florida November 21, 2005
Known around the nation as one of the most innovative defensive coaches in football, George O'Leary begins his second season as head coach at UCF. O'Leary has reshaped the UCF football program in every facet - from improved academic results in the classroom to overall team discipline on and off the football field. Despite the on-field struggles of 2004, O'Leary is confident he is laying the ground work for future success. The Golden Knights had their best fall semester team grade point average in the school's Division I-A history with a mark of 2.779 during the 2004 fall semester. Under O'Leary, the Golden Knights recorded the top team GPA during the season since becoming a Division I-A football member in 1996. O'Leary's first recruiting class showed 82 percent of the class receiving academic honor roll accolades, which consists of a grade point average of 3.00 or higher. The impressive honor roll number was not limited to the newcomers, as 40% of the entire team earned a 3.00 GPA or higher during the fall 2004 semester. UCF's returning players boast a team grade point average of 2.85 heading into spring practice. Two members of the football team earned perfect 4.00 grade point averages as well. Prior to UCF, O'Leary served as head coach at Georgia Tech from 1994-2001, serving as interim head coach for the final three games of the 1994 season. The 2000 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year at Georgia Tech, O'Leary was twice named ACC Coach of the Year for the Yellow Jackets in 1998 and 2000. During his seven-year stint at Georgia Tech, O'Leary guided the Yellow Jackets to a 52-33 (.612) record including five bowl appearances. From 1995-2001, Georgia Tech recorded five winning seasons in six years, including the 1998 ACC Co-Championship and an appearance in the Toyota Gator Bowl New Year's Day. O'Leary's Georgia Tech teams won at least seven games four times during his tenure, including a 10-win season in 1998 and a nine-win campaign in 2000. George Joseph O'Leary was born in Central Islip, N.Y. and attended Central Islip High School. He attended the University of New Hampshire and earned his degree in physical education. George and his wife, Sharon, have two daughters, Chris and Trish, and two sons, Tim and Marty.
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