It was reported Wednesday that Ted Roof was leaving his job as Auburn’s defensive coordinator and taking the same position at UCF.
A day later, the move has been confirmed.
In a release, the Knights announced that head coach George O’Leary has officially hired Roof as his new coordinator. Roof will replace John Skladany, who it was announced “would not be retained for the 2012 season” along with two other assistants/football staff members late last month.
This will actually be a reunion for O’Leary and Roof as the latter served as the former’s coordinator at Georgia Tech from 1999-2001.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to come to a great place. It’s just as important to come work for a coach who I have tremendous respect for,” said Roof. “He gave me my first break as a coordinator in football, and I think it says a lot about how I feel about coach (O’Leary).”
We’ll leave it up to you to decide whether Roof stating it’s “important to come work for a coach who I have tremendous respect for” is a shot at his old boss or not.
Roof had spent the past three seasons as the Tigers’ coordinator. He’s also been in charge of defenses at previous stops such as Minnesota and Duke.
UPDATED 1:06 p.m. ET: AU head coach Gene Chizik issued a statement addressing Roof’s departure.
“Ted has played an important role in the success of our football program, helping Auburn win 29 games in three years, including a national championship last season. I’m very appreciative of the passion, energy and work ethic Ted brought to the program every day. I know that this will be a great opportunity for Ted to be reunited with his mentor in George O’Leary and we wish him and his family nothing but the best at UCF.”