ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 20 -- University of Central Florida head football coach Gene McDowell has resigned in the wake of a cellular telephone scandal involving his players. Athletic director Steve Sloan informed the team of McDowell's this morning.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek has been named to replace him. The resignation is part of a plea deal he made for telling Golden Knights players in October their lockers were about to be searched by federal agents in the phone scam. The only person arrested was former Central Florida player Patrick Brinson, who worked for AT&T and sold the phones to players for a flat fee. No bills were ever sent because Brinson erased the phone numbers from AT&T's records. Brinson pleaded guilty to possessing 17 cellular telephones and phone numbers to commit fraud and is expected to get probation. McDowell coached the team for 13 years.
