Judge rules in favor of fired football coach in lawsuit vs. UCF

An Orange County circuit judge ruled in favor of former UCF defensive coordinator Ted Roof’s breach-of-contract lawsuit against the university’s athletics association.

In an eight-page document filed June 11, Judge Margaret H. Schreiber granted Roof’s motion for a summary judgment, resolving the lawsuit before a full trial by establishing that there are no genuine disputes over the essential facts.

Former UCF head coach Gus Malzahn announced Roof’s hiring on Jan. 17, 2024. He was fired on Oct. 28, 2024, with the Knights mired in a five-game losing streak and ranked 86th nationally in scoring defense. Addison Williams fulfilled the defensive coordinator role on an interim bases for UCF’s final four games.

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According to an executive summary of Roof’s contract, distributed by the UCF Athletics Association, Roof signed a two-year deal worth $1.15 million in guaranteed compensation — $400,000 for 2024 and $750,000 for ’25. For termination without cause, UCF was due to pay the full salary for the remainder of the term.

However, when Malzahn resigned 33 days later after the Knights concluded a 4-8 campaign, UCF’s athletics association sought to adjust Roof’s termination compensation. UCFAA retroactively attempted to apply a provision that would have compensated Roof for 90 days’ worth of his 2025 salary rate, rather than the full $750,000, according to a complaint filed Jan. 24, 2025.

“UCFAA asserts the later resignation of Malzahn allows it to go back and modify the termination compensation provision as set forth in Addendum B, effective as of the date of Malzahn’s resignation. This Court does not agree,” Schreiber wrote. “Roof was terminated without cause under his employment agreement at a time when Malzahn remained as Head Football Coach for UCF.

“UCFAA had the right to terminate Roof if Malzahn resigned — thereby presumably allowing a new Head Football Coach to install his own preferred staff. Roof could also have terminated his employment if Malzahn resigned, therby presumably not having to serve as an assistant coach under someone with a different coaching style or philosophy than Malzahn.

“There is no reading of the Employment Agreement which would allow UCFAA to modify Roof’s termination pay only (as opposed to his employment) — be it 33 days, 3 months or 13 months after Malzahn resigned his own employment relationship with UCF.”

According to Schreiber’s written order, Roof is entitled to compensatory damages, including pre- and post-judgment interest, and an award of his attorney’s fees and costs incurred in this case. If the two parties cannot agree on the amount of fees and costs, they are directed to set an evidentiary hearing.

Roof, 62, was hired Jan. 6 to take over as defensive coordinator at Boston College. He has served as DC or co-DC at 13 Division I football programs since 1995.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Judge rules UCF athletics owes former football coach Ted Roof full pay