It was just a fib, a white lie meant to bolster the chances of a hungry young man looking to break into the business.

Two decades later, that lie would go on to shake up the coaching landscape of major college football.

One decision made. Four destinies affected.

George O'Leary had fulfilled his dream. On Dec. 9, he was given the opportunity to revive Notre Dame's weakening program, leaving Georgia Tech without a coach after his seven years there.

He didn't even last seven days in South Bend.

Five days into his new job, O'Leary handed in his resignation due to inaccuracies on his resume - listing a master's degree he never received and some undergraduate football letters he never earned. That saga would ultimately extend its reach throughout college football.

O'Leary's poor judgment left three major schools without a coach and one man unemployed and embarrassed. Thus began the coaching merry-go-round, with Tyrone Willingham, Buddy Teeven and Chan Gailey swooping in to take advantage of new opportunities.

The offseason's 13 head coaching changes, including a shift at Florida where Ron Zook took over for Steve Spurrier, makes 2002 the year of the coach. Powered by the results-oriented, multimillion dollar business of college football, never before has there been so much emphasis placed on the men in charge.

Willingham, the former Stanford coach, helped the Fighting Irish escape the most embarrassing escapade in school history by agreeing to a six-year deal on New Year's Eve.

Former Florida assistant Teevens was the next to step up, vowing to resurrect his head coaching career when he accepted a five-year contract to coach the Cardinal.

And then Gailey inked a five-year deal, inheriting a Georgia Tech program primed to win its first conference title since 1998.

While Willingham roams the Notre Dame sideline in the hottest spotlight in sports and Teevens enjoys his new California lifestyle, Gailey may very well be better off than both. O'Leary left the cupboard full, as the Yellow Jackets have played in five straight bowl games - their longest such streak since the 1950s - and the program isn't experiencing a major overhaul unlike the other two.

As promised, Willingham has scrapped Notre Dame's trademark option attack in favor of a West Coast offense. Teevens is installing his version of Spurrier's Fun 'N Gun offense out West.

But Gailey is keeping Tech's offense intact. His challenge will be excelling in a role he's never known before. And he'll have to fulfill the demands of coaching in the football-mad South.

A previous Division II and I-AA coach, Gailey spent the last eight years in the NFL, including a two-year stint as coach of the Dallas Cowboys. But he has never served as the head of a Division I program.

"The college game is a little different now," Gailey said. "I think the game has become more sophisticated, and everybody has learned to get better. I also think there are a lot more NCAA rules you have to pay attention to."

The Yellow Jackets have 16 starters returning but must rebuild the entire starting backfield.

Quarterback A.J. Suggs, a transfer who made four starts at Tennessee, is the favorite to replace two-year starter George Godsey. Gailey will look to resuscitate Suggs' career the way he renewed that of another of his signal-callers.

Before his stint with the Cowboys, Gailey helped Kordell Stewart enjoy a career year in 1997, when Gailey was the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Teevens has left the demands of Florida and the Southeastern Conference to prove he too can direct a high-octane offense. After spending three years under Spurrier, Teevens is confident he can erase the failures of his last head coaching job.

Though he led Dartmouth to Ivy League titles in 1990 and '91, Teevens endured five painful years at Tulane, where he went 10-45 from 1992-96.

"Of all the coaches I've ever hired," athletics director Ted Leland said, "I don't know if I've ever seen a better fit between a man and an institution than I do here."

Teevens should build upon last season's third-place Pac-10 finish. Stanford's roster is again loaded with talent, led by quarterback Chad Lewis and receiver Teyo Johnson. Lewis threw for 1,387 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, while Johnson caught 44 passes for 610 yards and eight scores.

That duo will thrive under Teevens' system.

"We'd like to be a wide-open outfit," Teevens said. "It will be a lot of fun to play, and a lot of fun to watch. ... The history here, from (former coach) John Ralston right on through, has been good quarterbacks and good receivers. We want to get back to that."

Willingham has been tabbed as the best fit in his new role, though he isn't as fortunate as his counterparts. The Irish are coming off a 5-6 season, quarterback Matt LoVecchio transferred to Indiana and running back Julius Jones is academically ineligible.

Accompanying Willingham's drive for a national title are the implied social issues that have grown from his hiring. There are only four black head coaches in Division I-A, and Willingham hopes positive results on the field create more opportunities for others.

"Part of my philosophy is that there's a greater good," said Willingham, Notre Dame's first black coach in any sport. "That we're out there to benefit not just yourself, that's important, but to benefit others."

However, questions remain about his true prowess as a head coach. He was 44-36-1 in seven seasons at Stanford, including a 9-3 mark last season. Along with a conference title and Rose Bowl bid in 1999, he was considered a success.

The same results may not be appreciated at Notre Dame.

Bob Davie was 35-25 in five seasons at the helm of the Irish before his firing at last season's end. However, Willingham is accustomed to recruiting under strict academic guidelines.

That experience, coupled with the aura of Notre Dame, can help Willingham restore the glamour of the Golden Dome. He already understands the type of attention he will receive in his newest post.

"There's no question that this is the most high-profile university in this country, and with that, it brings bright light," Willingham said. "But I have always said that if you are doing the right thing, it does not matter how bright the lights are or how many lights - but if you are doing the wrong thing, it only takes a flashlight."

That scrutiny may uncover some of the coaches' shortcomings.

Willingham risks being exposed as a mediocre coach. Teevens' offense is in danger of failing without Spurrier's help. Gailey is gambling that he can relate to amateurs.

While O'Leary is toiling as an assistant for the Minnesota Vikings, looking to rebuild his career, these three men will be trying to abolish the mess left in his wake.

Three men, linked by one man's dishonesty, with another chance to etch their names into college football lore.

Vito Forlenza is a writer for AP MegaSports. Write to him at vforlenza(at)ap.org.

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