Defense's problems prompt changes at UCF

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Two days after UCF finished its disappointing 2006 season, Coach George O'Leary made changes to his coaching staff.

O'Leary said Monday that secondary coach Miles Aldridge and defensive line coach Peter McCarty were "relieved of their duties" and that defensive coordinator Lance Thompson will be "reassigned" within the defensive staff. All three coaches were hired by O'Leary upon his arrival at UCF in 2004.

The moves come on the heels of a second consecutive season in which the Knights' defense was ranked near the bottom of the Division I-A in several key categories. It was 106th nationally in total defense (398.1 yards per game), 82nd in rush defense (149.3 ypg), 111th in pass defense (248.8 ypg) and 99th in scoring defense (28.8 points per game).

"This thing is not about evaluating people; it's about announcing some coaching changes," O'Leary said.
Kyle Hightower: Sentinel Staff Writer