Butch Davis Out At North Carolina. What Changed?
by MaconDawg on Jul 27, 2011 6:55 PM EDT
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According to a University press release North Carolina football coach Butch Davis was fired this afternoon following a closed door meeting of the University's Board of Trustees. Citing a need to "restore confidence in the University of North Carolina and our football program", UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp also indicated that the decision was the result not of any developments in the ongoing investigation into the school's football program, but of accumulated issues.
One has to wonder what exactly accumulated in the past few days that had not accumulated in the preceding months. It's hard to imagine a worse time to jettison your college football coach, what with fall practice a week away. Really, it's hard to justify the decision unless the UNC board discovered something new and troubling, or had to line up the financing to make a move now. Either way, I imagine UNC fans will view this as the school writing off an entire season. At least that's how I would see it if the same sort of lightning bolt struck out of a clear blue sky in Athens.
Davis leaves behind an investigation which deprived his program of many of the stud blue chip prospects he brought in through masterful recruiting. It's in the area of recruiting where Davis's departure could affect Georgia. Specifically, North Carolina has been seen by many as Georgia's primary competition for the services of top-ranked running back Keith Marshall of Raleigh, who's already been discussed at length on this site.
Another thing to bear in mind is that if North Carolina goes the interim route for 2011 they could join the list of major programs coach hunting for 2012, a list which hopefully will not include your Georgia Bulldogs. I don't think a North Carolina program staring down probation is more appealing than Mark Richt's current digs if, Heaven help, change becomes necessary. But the more buyers in the market the more pressure on market participants to make offers and close deals in a hurry. Just something to consider. Until later . . .
Go 'Dawgs!!!
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Maybe Yahoo.com came looking for a comment before they publish their "10" story
that’s due out in August… :-)
Whoa!
Totally did not see that one coming!
The NCAA’s concerted effort to get schools to sit up and take notice, starting with Southern California and proceeding consistently constantly since then, is starting to get folks’ attention. North Carolina saw how Ohio State helped itself by jettisoning Jim Tressel, and how Tennessee is trying to help itself by blaming everything on ex-coaches Lane Kiffin and Bruce Pearl, and the Tar Heels decided to get while the getting was good.
Meanwhile, on the Plains, they’re still “all in” . . . which, judging by what happened to Georgia Tech, means Auburn is either going to get away, scot-free, or they’re going to be this generation’s SMU.
Go 'Dawgs!
I'm really, really thinking SMU...
… and the more I watch Gene Chizik, the more he seems to me like Bobby Collins. Willfully ignorant of all that’s going on around him, and just trying to “keep his head down and coach ’em up.”
I don’t honestly think Auburn is looking down the barrel of the NCAA’s death penalty gun, but they’re going to get smacked as hard as Southern Cal did.
by vineyarddawg on Jul 27, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
This Was the Board of Trustees First Meeting Since May
Between which the notice of allegations was released and Ohio State appeared to have skirted major punishment with Jim Tressel’s firing. Add to that a new chairman being elected and new members, and it could just be that the opinion in that room shifted.
Either way, doing this eight days before training camp starts is insanely stupid.
Not to mention the fact that . . .
they could have probably scheduled a special called meeting. I mean, that’s how the rest of us can ’em. Our hearts go out to you folks on the timing.
I wonder if this will signal
the death knell for “high risk” coaches. I figured UNC to be wiser than they proved with this hire and always thought it a very strange fit. I followed Butch Davis’ very closely when he was wheelin’ and dealin’ down here in sunny South Florida. Leopards, as it turns out, truly don’t change their spots.
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell
Plainsmen...
their “story.”
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell
by DavetheDawg on Jul 27, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I prefer “plainsmen their wager.”
"It'll only be reviewed because the guys up in the booth want to watch it a few times too." AJ's one-handed catch at Colorado
by AdamLilly on Jul 27, 2011 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
... "or Tiglesmen their striped-feathered-wager."
(By the way, Tiglesmen is pronounced “Tie-gulls-men.” It’s my favorite way to refer to Auburn, because it covers all the bases in one word.)
by vineyarddawg on Jul 27, 2011 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm sorry
I’m not sure how you say that without “cheating bastards” in there. Maybe I’m mistaken?
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
Well, I meant that it covers all the mascot bases.
As in… “those lying, cheating Tiglesmen bastards.” :-)
by vineyarddawg on Jul 28, 2011 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm studying at Chapel Hill right now
And I can honestly say I’m completely shocked. Walking around town and talking to students, there seemed to be unwavering support for Butch. Nobody wanted him gone. There was finally a good football coach and team in Chapel Hill, and everyone seemed thrilled about it. I am very shocked.
Dang, people.
Every time I take a day or two and completely separate myself from the internet (as I did today), some major bombshell drops!
So, just for the record, I’ll be taking next Friday off, separating myself from the internet, and pointing my “Bulldog Country” stones in the direction of Boise, Idaho. (You know… just in case.)
Really shocked by the ti
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
I Corinthians 9:24
by Southern Dawg on Jul 28, 2011 1:43 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
(stupid mobile posting)....ming of it as well
And I think it makes their season that much more of an exhibition rather than a full tilt fight for something like the ACC crown rather than more than possible looks from NFL scouts. I wonder if they will let enrolled freshman for transfer immidiately if they desire and without penalty.
Also although I think unc was in consideration for k. Marshall I think we were ahead there, but as of right now our main competition is Notre Dame. But I’m still surprised he’s still seriously considering us, with recent RB commits. Just my 2 cents.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
I Corinthians 9:24
by Southern Dawg on Jul 28, 2011 1:52 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
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