Report: UCF's George O'Leary could step down later this month

UCF head coach George O'Leary is strongly considering stepping down this season, according to a report Saturday night from Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.

UCF head coach George O'Leary is strongly considering stepping down this season, according to a report Saturday night from Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.

The move could come as early as the Knights' opening game in Ireland on Aug. 30 vs. Penn State, according to Feldman. Brent Key, who was promoted to assistant head coach of offense earlier in the year, would take the reigns if O'Leary steps down. UCF athletic director Todd Stansbury said in the report that no discussions about the resignation have taken place at this point.

O'Leary, who turns 68 on Aug. 17, was hired as the head coach in 2004 and went 0-11 in his debut season. He has been named Coach of the Year twice in the ACC, three times in Conference USA and once in the AAC. Last year, he led the Knights to a 12-1 season en route to a BCS win in the Fiesta Bowl and a No. 10 ranking in the coaches poll. 

Key, meanwhile, recently turned down an opportunity to become the head coach at UAB, and could be in line to take over at UCF later in August, according to Feldman. 

SI WIRE: Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves hurt at practice

- Marc Weinreich