A protracted legal dispute involving the University of Central Florida (UCF) Athletics Association and its former defensive coordinator, Ted Roof, has reached its conclusion. An Orange County Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of Roof, mandating a significant payout for breach of contract. This verdict brings to an end a contention that spanned over 17 months, centered on the terms of Roof's employment and subsequent termination.
Court Upholds Contractual Integrity in UCF Coaching Dispute
In a decisive ruling delivered on a recent Thursday, Orange County Circuit Court Judge Margaret H. Schreiber granted summary judgment to former UCF defensive coordinator Ted Roof in his breach-of-contract lawsuit against the UCF Athletics Association, Inc. The 8-page judgment underscored the clarity and enforceability of the employment agreement, stating unequivocally that unambiguous contracts must be honored according to their plain meaning. This landmark decision concludes a legal battle initiated by Roof more than 17 months prior.
Roof was dismissed from his position on October 28, 2024, by then-head coach Gus Malzahn, following the Knights' 37-24 defeat by BYU. His termination letter was issued at this time. Roof had joined Malzahn's coaching staff on January 17, 2024, after a tenure as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma from 2022-2023. His two-year contract stipulated a base salary of $400,000 for the 2024 season and $750,000 for the 2025 season.
According to the lawsuit Roof filed on January 24, 2025, UCF attempted to alter his termination compensation after Malzahn's resignation on November 30, 2024, which occurred 33 days after Roof's no-cause termination. On December 6, 2024, Roof received a letter from UCF indicating a retroactive application of contract terms related to Malzahn's resignation. This provision suggested that in the event of Malzahn's departure, Roof would receive 90 days of pay at the $750,000 annual rate, effective from Malzahn's resignation date.
However, Roof's lawsuit contended that this provision was moot, as it applied only if he were still employed by the university at the time of Malzahn's resignation. Judge Schreiber concurred with this interpretation. In her judgment, she explicitly stated that there was no valid reading of the employment agreement that would permit UCF to retroactively modify Roof's termination pay, irrespective of the time elapsed since Malzahn's resignation. Consequently, the court awarded Roof $637,770 in compensatory damages, covering the unpaid balance of his 2024-2025 base salary. Additionally, Roof was granted attorney's fees and trial costs.
Now 62 years old, Ted Roof is currently serving his first season as defensive coordinator at Boston College under coach Bill O’Brien. Gus Malzahn, after his stint as offensive coordinator at Florida State, announced his retirement on February 2 and now sits on the 13-member selection committee for the College Football Playoff.
This case serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of clear and unambiguous contractual language in professional sports. It highlights that employers cannot unilaterally alter the terms of separation once a termination has occurred under pre-defined conditions. The court's decision reinforces the principle that contractual agreements, when clearly drafted, must be upheld as written, protecting individuals from retroactive changes that would diminish their agreed-upon entitlements.
