At a private event Friday evening, a statue of former UCF Football head coach George O’Leary was unveiled outside of Bright House Networks Stadium.
Donated by a group of donors for O’Leary’s contributions to the football program and the university, the statue includes a front facing “‘Coach’ George O’Leary” with a football in his arms and a smile on his face. On one side reads off the coach’s accomplishments and the other highlights the Fiesta Bowl and 2013 season.
“George created an expectation for success both on the field and in the classroom,” UCF President John C. Hitt said. “He put UCF football on the map.”
Four conference championships, seven bowl games, and a national top ten ranking, as well as four-time conference coach of the year, are the forefront accomplishments O’Leary accrued in twelve years.
A No. 7 NCAA FBS football program graduation rate – No. 1 in Florida and the AAC – has been owed to O’Leary.
On Saturday’s game versus Tulsa, the coach was recognized at halftime by UCF Athletic Director Danny White.
