- posted: Jun. 25, 2025
No matter what side you’re on, signing an employment contract can be very exciting. Both parties usually enter these agreements expecting the best. Unfortunately, things don’t always go according to expectations, and the employee might end up leaving earlier than planned. At this point, contractual terms regarding termination and payments for time remaining on the deal become very important. Ambiguity and assumptions relating to these issues can lead to conflict and possibly litigation.
Right now, the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Ted Roof, former defensive coordinator for the school’s football team, are engaged in this type of dispute. Roof has filed a lawsuit against UCF, alleging a breach of contract following his termination. The agreement in question was a two-year deal in which Roof was to be paid $400,000 for the 2024 season and $750,000 for 2025.
Roof was fired on October 28, 2024, in the middle of the UCF season. His termination letter, presented by then-Head Coach Gus Malzahn, stated that Roof was being let go without cause. This seemed to be a standard coaching dismissal based on the fact that Roof’s defense was not performing up to expectations. Under the terms of the contract, Roof was entitled to full payment of his remaining salary through the end of the 2025 season.
About one month later, Malzahn resigned as UCF head coach to become offensive coordinator at Florida State University. Subsequently, UCF notified Roof that it was retroactively applying a contractual provision stating that if Malzahn resigned, Roof’s agreement could be terminated, and he would be entitled to only 90 days of pay at the 2025 annual rate of $750,000.
In his lawsuit, Roof argues that the provision UCF is relying on is inapplicable because it was only meant to take effect if Roof was still employed at the time of Malzahn’s resignation. As Roof was terminated more than a month before Malzahn stepped down, Roof contends that the provision cannot retroactively alter his entitlement to the full balance of his salary and bonuses under the original termination clause.
This might be a case where an employee negotiated the terms of the contract not anticipating the particular scenario that ended up occurring. As of now, this case relating to contractual interpretation, termination clauses and the retroactive application of specific provisions is headed to trial in 2027.
Employment contract disputes like this one underscore the importance of clear and precise language in agreements. If it is too late to adjust the terms of an agreement, you might require an experienced attorney to litigate your case. At H. Clay Parker, Esq. The Florida Lawyer in Orlando, we draft contracts on behalf of Florida clients and represent parties when a breach of contract claim arises. For a consultation concerning your particular legal needs, please call us at [ln::phone] or contact us online.
