ORLANDO, Fla. – University of Central Florida coach George O'Leary denied rumors Monday of the "coach in waiting" rumors surrounding his contract and the future head coach of the university's 0-7 football program.
During his weekly media day game review Monday afternoon, the veteran head coach told News 6 investigative reporter Mike Holfeld there was nothing he felt should be withheld from the public regarding his contract.
"No, not that I know of," he said. "It's not my responsibility for the contracts being made public. I sign one, but there's nothing."
The University of Central Florida has continued to deny WKMG-TV's request for a copy of O'Leary's contract.
The resistance to making the pact public has prompted a wave of campus conspiracy theories ranging from a "golden parachute" clause to O'Leary naming the successor to his job.
Rumors have been swirling for weeks that O'Leary's offensive coach Brent Key had been guaranteed the job in writing complete with a hefty cash buyout if Key did not get the head coach post.
Students and alumni have been speculating that the clause was actually written into O'Leary's contract. The coach very calmly denied the whole thing.
"In my contract? No, no, there is not. No, that's why it's my contract," he said. "I worry about me, but no, there's nothing. What are you talking about? Like a coach in house or something like that? No, there's nothing in my contract like that. Not at all."
News 6 is investigating the legal ramifications in the contract controversy. One expert has fought as similar public records battle and won.
News 6 will have more of our investigation Tuesday on the 11 p.m. news.