A contract fight between UCF and former defensive coordinator Ted Roof has ended with a costly loss for the Knights. An Orange County judge has sided with Roof in his breach-of-contract lawsuit, ordering UCF to pay him about $637,770 for how the school handled his deal after firing him in October 2024, wrapping up litigation that had hung over both sides since last winter.
Judge Awards Nearly $638,000
Orange County Circuit Court Judge Margaret H. Schreiber issued an eight-page summary judgment that found Roof's employment agreement "clear and unambiguous" and entered judgment for $637,770 plus attorney's fees and costs, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Schreiber wrote that courts cannot indulge in construction when contractual language is clear, and her ruling ended the case without a trial.
Background: Hire, Firing And The Lawsuit
Roof joined the UCF staff on Jan. 17, 2024, according to UCF Athletics. He was dismissed on Oct. 28, 2024, in a coaching staff shakeup, a move reported at the time by local outlet Black & Gold Banneret.
What The Court Said And The Fight Over Pay
According to the Orlando Sentinel, UCF sent Roof a Dec. 6, 2024, letter saying it would retroactively apply employment terms tied to then-coach Gus Malzahn's resignation. Roof responded by filing a breach-of-contract lawsuit on Jan. 24, 2025. Judge Schreiber held that the contract's plain language controlled, granted summary judgment in Roof's favor, and awarded him the contract payout along with attorneys' fees and costs.
Roof's Next Chapter And What Comes Next
Roof, 62, has already moved on professionally and is serving as Boston College's defensive coordinator under Bill O'Brien, a hire first reported by ESPN. With the judgment now entered, he is entitled to collect the award and fees while UCF weighs its post-judgment options under Florida procedure.
Legal Implications
In Florida, summary judgment allows courts to dispose of claims before trial when there is no genuine dispute over any material fact. The state's Rule 1.510 tracks the federal standard and governs these rulings, per Justia. Because Judge Schreiber granted summary judgment, Roof's breach-of-contract claim is resolved at the trial court level, although UCF may still appeal under state appellate rules.
