George O'Leary is getting most of the attention, but the new assistant coaches have pretty impressive credentials, too. There is a lot of experience, both at the collegiate and NFL levels, on this new staff.

From Pegasus, UCF's alumni magazine:

Quote:Meet the Assistants

Not long after George O'Leary was named UCF's head coach on Dec. 8, 2003, he began constructing a staff of assistants who bring some impressive backgrounds to Orlando.  Here's a brief synopsis of each coach:

Peter McCarty, Defensive Line

Worth noting: has 20 years of experience, coming to UCF from Stanford . . . also coached at Georgia Tech where he worked for O'Leary in 2001 . . . his ties to O'Leary date to 1980 when he was a graduate assistant at Syracuse . . . O'Leary got his first college coaching job at Syracuse in 1980.

Miles Aldridge, Defensive Backs

Worth nothing: worked for college and professional teams in Buffalo: the Bulls and the Bills . . . has coached on the college level for 25 years, including a tenure at the University of Arkansas where he served as defensive coordinator from 1996-97.

Lance Thompson, Defensive Coordinator

Worth noting: comes from staff at LSU, which won national championship last season . . . served as assistant head coach for Tigers . . . coached four seasons at Georgia Tech with O'Leary . . . spent two seasons coaching defensive line at Alabama.

Joe Gilbert, Offensive Line

Worth noting: spent last three seasons at Toledo . . . helped Rockets to No. 5 ranking in total offense . . . former head coach at Mansfield (PA) University . . . assistant at Maine from 1994-99.

Tim Salem, Offensive Coordinator

Worth noting: will also coach quarterbacks . . . has been an assistant for 18 years . . . comes to UCF from Eastern Michigan . . . coached quarterbacks at Ohio State (1997-2000) . . . spent six seasons at Purdue, including three as offensive coordinator.

Brian Polian, Recruiting Coordinator/Running Backs

Worth noting: spent last three seasons coaching running backs/special teams at Buffalo . . . spent two years at Baylor where he earned master's degree . . . served as graduate assistant at Michigan State . . . father, Bill, is president/general manager of Indianapolis Colts.

Dave Huxtable, Linebackers

Worth noting: first coach to join O'Leary's staff . . . has 24 years coaching experience . . . coached with O'Leary at Tech from 1994-97 . . . started coaching at Georgia Tech in 1992 . . . spent last three years at North Carolina . . . Tar Heels' defensive coordinator for two years.

D.J. McCarthy, Wide Receivers

Worth noting: served as receivers coach at Nevada since 2000 . . . former receiver for Washington Huskies . . . began coaching career at alma mater of Boca Raton High . . . former Tampa Bay Bucs intern (1998).

Eric Green, Tight Ends

Worth noting: former NFL Pro Bowl tight end . . . 1990 first-round pick of Steelers . . . served in front office of XFL's Orlando Rage in 2000 . . . helped coach tight ends with Vikings where he met O'Leary . . . has six children.

Major Worth Note

Coach Lance Thompson...ex LSU FOOTBALL RECRUITING COORDINATOR!!!! (Home to Top 5 Recruiting classes the last 3 years!!!)

THAT WAS HUGE!!!!

Lance was largely responsible for this year's Top Ranked LSU class...most of them had already committed to LSU before the Sugar Bowl.

His jump to UCF...even as Def Coord....is HUGE!!! His recruiting skills, contacts, etc...all over the Southeast...and especially in Louisiana (Baton Rouge and New Orleans) will pay off big time!

KL

We have a good future ahead of us!

moloch_322 Wrote:We have a good future ahead of us!

you said it!

KnightLight Wrote:Major Worth Note

Coach Lance Thompson...ex LSU FOOTBALL RECRUITING COORDINATOR!!!! (Home to Top 5 Recruiting classes the last 3 years!!!)

THAT WAS HUGE!!!!

Lance was largely responsible for this year's Top Ranked LSU class...most of them had already committed to LSU before the Sugar Bowl.

His jump to UCF...even as Def Coord....is HUGE!!! His recruiting skills, contacts, etc...all over the Southeast...and especially in Louisiana (Baton Rouge and New Orleans) will pay off big time!

KL

Cool! I didn't realize that Thompson was the recruiting coordinator at LSU in addition to his duties with the defensive linemen. You're absolutely right, KnightLight. His recruiting contacts should be a huge advantage.