AuburnUndercover.com reported the news first on Wednesday.
Roof, a part of Auburn coach Gene Chizik’s original staff that was hired three years ago, was in the first year of a three-year contract worth $500,000 per year.
At Central Florida, Roof will be reunited with head coach George O’Leary.
Roof served as O’Leary’s defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech from 1999 to 2001.
Roof would replace former defensive coordinator John Skladany, who was fired after the Knights finished 5-7 this season.
Even during Auburn’s run to an unbeaten season and a national championship last year, the Tigers’ defense was spotty.
In 2010, Auburn ranked ninth in the nation against the run, allowing 109.1 yards per game, but ranked 60th in total defense.
This season, the Tigers slipped to 99th in rushing defense, 78th in the nation in total defense, allowing 405.75 yards per game, and 79th in scoring defense, allowing 29.33 yards per game.
That the Tigers would slip offensively and defensively from 2010 was not unexpected.
Auburn had significant personnel losses off last year’s championship team and this season fielded one of the youngest teams in the nation, with 65 percent of this year’s roster comprised of underclassmen.
Charles Bennett covers Auburn University sports for The Star. Follow him on Twitter @AUTigers_Star
