UCF football coach George O'Leary retired Sunday effective immediately, wrapping up a 12-year tenure during which he helped put the school's football program on the national radar.
Quarterbacks coach Danny Barrett was named the Knights' interim coach.
The Orlando Sentinel first reported the news that was later confirmed by UCF President John Hitt and vice president Grant Heston. They told the Sentinel the school will complete its athletics director search by early December and the new athletics leader will help select the next head football coach from outside the program.
"[Current UCF offensive coordinator] Brent Key has a clause in his contract that he will be paid $700,000 if he is not the next head coach.