ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ President John C. Hitt wanted an experienced leader with a passion for academics and athletics to serve as his interim director of athletics.
Enter the most successful football coach in ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ history.
George OβLeary, in his 12th season as a Knight, will serve as interim director of athletics through the end of 2015. At that time, a decision will be made about how to move forward for 2016 and beyond, Hitt said.
βGeorgeβs leadership and knowledge of athletics β which includes programs beyond football β will keep ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ moving forward academically, competitively and in the community,β Hitt said. βHis national connections will also help us continue building the Knightsβ reputation around the country.β
As for OβLeary balancing his coaching and new administrative responsibilities, Hitt said, βGeorge believes, as do I, that our strong athletics and university staffs will ensure he is successful on and off the field.β
OβLeary agreed.
Calling the interim appointment βanother great adventureβ in his life, OβLeary stressed the five qualities he will bring to the job: leadership, organization, accountability, responsibility and trust.
βFirst of all, I appreciate President Hittβs trusting me with this interim job. I love ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ and want to help us get better across the board,β OβLeary said. βI have a great interest in the total package as far as ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ is concerned.β
The Knights have won seven American Athletic Conference championships in 2014-15, including the second consecutive conference football title under OβLeary. In addition, ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ boasts the highest Graduation Success Rate for student-athletes of any public NCAA Division I FBS school in the nation.
ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½βs 95 percent Graduation Success Rate ranks in the top five overall among FBS schools, alongside private institutions Notre Dame, Stanford, Duke and Northwestern.
βThere are two important things you need to do in this job,β OβLeary said. βYou have to win so that ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ has the opportunity to become a top national program. And you have to bring in good kids and, hopefully, help make them great young men and women when they graduate.β
OβLeary will begin as interim director of athletics on July 11.