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Report: George O'Leary felt 'betrayed' by UCF administration

David Manning / USA TODAY Sports

A souring relationship with UCF president John Hitt led to coach George O'Leary's midseason retirement, according to David Pingalore of News 6.

Per the report, O'Leary was pressured into retiring after his team's record fell to 0-8 on Saturday. Though he initially planned to step down after the 2014 season, he returned this year after administrators "begged" him to stay.

"How do you go from being so beloved after winning a Fiesta Bowl to being treated like this?" a source asked. Another insider told Pingalore that O'Leary felt "betrayed by the administration about being forced to retire."

He planned to retire after this season, according to one of Pingalore's sources, and wanted to keep it a secret because he didn't want to be known as a lame duck coach.

Since being asked to resign, the 69-year-old reportedly hasn't met face to face with administrative staff. He cleaned out his office Monday and is reportedly upset over how the situation was handled.

O'Leary joined the Knights as head coach in 2003 and guided the team to seven bowl games and an 81-68 overall record. He'll reportedly earn $200,000 per year as a special liaison at UCF from 2016-20.

Quarterbacks coach Danny Barrett was named head coach for the final four games of the season.

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