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UCF AD says coaches will get national championship bonus, plans Disney World parade

The College Football Playoff National Championship was supposed to put an end to these debates.

No more contested titles. No more mythical championships. This thing is going to be decided on the field, once and for all.

Tell that to UCF athletic director Danny White.

White is not impressed by a pair of one-loss SEC teams playing in next Monday’s title game, and immediately declared the undefeated Knights national champions following their Peach Bowl win over Auburn on Monday.

UCF’s one-handed All-AAC linebacker Shaquem Griffin celebrates the Peach Bowl win with QB McKenzie Milton. (AP)
UCF’s one-handed All-AAC linebacker Shaquem Griffin celebrates the Peach Bowl win with QB McKenzie Milton. (AP)

That Auburn team they beat just so happened to have defeated both participants in next Monday’s game, Georgia and Alabama. In case you haven’t heard.

But declaring yourself a champion is one thing. Putting your money where your mouth is is next level. That’s what UCF is doing, at least if White’s Twitter exchange here is to be believed.

White also promised a championship parade. He appeared to deliver there, not only with a parade, but with a parade scheduled for Sunday at Disney World. Where else would a champion go?

White has caught a lot of flak for his insistence on declaring the Knights national champions, with critics citing an AAC schedule that doesn’t stand up to the rigors of the Power 5 conferences.

But he’s also received some support, most notably from Miami radio host and ESPN personality Dan Le Batard, who dedicated his three-hour national radio show on Tuesday to declaring the Knights national champions.

While the record books won’t reflect White’s championship push, it makes for a pretty good marketing campaign. He might as well make the most of an undefeated season while he can.