In this photo taken Oct. 30, 2010, Central Florida athletic director Keith Tribble, left, walks off the field with head coach George O'Leary after an NCAA college football game against East Carolina in Orlando, Fla. Central Florida president John Hitt announced Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, that Tribble is resigning amid allegations of recruiting violations in the school's football and basketball programs. O'Leary was not cited for wrongdoing by the NCAA. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
In this photo taken Oct. 30, 2010, Central Florida athletic director Keith Tribble, left, walks off the field with head coach George O'Leary after an NCAA college football game against East Carolina in Orlando, Fla. Central Florida president John Hitt announced Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, that Tribble is resigning amid allegations of recruiting violations in the school's football and basketball programs. O'Leary was not cited for wrongdoing by the NCAA. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Central Florida coach George O'Leary yells as he walks near his bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, in Orlando, Fla. Tulsa won 24-17. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
University of Central Florida president John C. Hitt speaks at a news conference following an NCAA report about violations in the football and men's basketball programs in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. Athletic director Keith Tribble and assistant football coach David Kelly resigned following the receipt of the report.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
University of Central Florida president John C. Hitt, right, speaks at a news conference following an NCAA report about violations in the football and men's basketball programs with interim director of athletics, Al Harms, in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. Athletic director Keith Tribble and assistant football coach David Kelly resigned following the receipt of the report.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2010, file photo, Central Florida athletic director Keith Tribble looks on during the closing minutes of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla. Central Florida president John Hitt announced Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, that Tribble is resigning amid allegations of recruiting violations in the school's football and basketball programs. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay, File)
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) ? Central Florida football coach George O'Leary is confident violations within his football program that have prompted a second NCAA probe in the last five years are isolated incidents and not a systemic problem.
O'Leary spoke for the first time Thursday since UCF athletic director Keith Tribble and one of his assistant coaches ? top recruiter David Kelly ? resigned after the NCAA cited both for unethical conduct for violations including involvement with runners for sports agents and cash payments and gifts to recruits.
Men's basketball coach Donnie Jones was also suspended by UCF's president for three games and given a reprimand. O'Leary was not cited for wrongdoing in the NCAA's report.
O'Leary said he has talked to the team about President John Hitt's announcement Wednesday and that the focus now is moving forward.
"Anytime the NCAA comes in you better have all your T's and I's dotted and crossed," O'Leary said. "They come in usually for a reason. And I just think it's a very unfortunate situation for people involved. And I think the university did what they had to do and I think basically have to move on from this point.
"I worry more about the student-athletes that they all move forward and understand that we lost good people and that we've got to continue to move ahead. I addressed it that basically people have responsibilities as far as players or coaches and it's pretty well spelled out that direction. We're held accountable for our actions, too."
The Knights are just 4-5 and will try to win for the first time on the road Saturday when they travel to No. 25 Southern Mississippi (8-1). Thursday was the team's last full practice before heading to Hattiesburg.
Players were not made available to the media afterward.
It will be their first game without Kelly, who had been at UCF with O'Leary since 2006 and was a popular assistant among players. He is credited most with helping UCF make recruiting inroads into the Miami area. Kelly was the assistant that directly recruited current quarterback Jeff Godfrey.
O'Leary said he doesn't plan to make any major interim staff changes to replace Kelly. The coach said the receiving corps will be taken under the wing of offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe.
O'Leary will conduct and oversee all team meetings for the receivers.
UCF is currently on NCAA probation until February of 2012 for football staff members placing impermissible calls to perspective recruits between 2007 and 2009. It's the reason why UCF has been labeled a repeat offender of NCAA rules and must undergo a hearing in front of the Committee on Infractions.
Despite that, O'Leary deflected the notion there is a systemic issue to correct.
"I think they're incidents, he said. "The guy with the phones is no longer here. I would have fired him if I had known about it beforehand. But it's a one-time incident in each situation. In this situation it's one guy that caused all these people problems. One guy and not wholesale doing what you're not supposed to do. So I don't think it's a major problem or leak or anything in the program.
"I think it's basically that you have to be smart in who you deal with and basically understand that there's ramifications when you do."
O'Leary said he is thinking about the families of both Kelly and Tribble.
"It's sad when any coach has to resign," O'Leary said. "I think some things you have no control over. I think good people usually end up on their feet and I think that's what will occur. But right now it's a tough time for both Keith and Dave and I wish them well. And I think when the dust all settles, hopefully everything ends fine for them and their families."
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