Poll shows mixed feelings within UNC fan base

North Carolina's fan base continues to have mixed feelings about the state of its football program, according to a poll released Tuesday.

Of the 317 Tar Heels fans in North Carolina contacted by Public Policy Polling last week, 41 percent approved of the job Butch Davis did as the Tar Heels football coach - and 36 percent agree with the decision to fire him.

Meanwhile, half were "not sure" whether they approve or disapprove of the overall job Holden Thorp is doing as chancellor, while 45 percent were "not sure" whether they approved or disapproved of his handling of the football team, and whether he should remain chancellor or be fired.

Full results of the poll can be found here.

PPP is a democratic polling company that surveys through automated phone interviews. It's latest poll, conducted August 4-7, had a +/- 5.5 percent margin for error.

Other tidbits from the survey:

• Of the fans polled, 54 percent think the NCAA investigation into academic misconduct and impermissible benefits in the football program has had at least some impact on the University's academic reputation - and 23 percent of those say it has been severe.
• Sixty-eight percent said there will be no change in their support of UNC football this year.
• Five years from now, 34 percent think the program will be stronger, 16 percent think it will be weaker, and 50 percent aren't sure.
• Almost three-quarters of those polled aren't sure whether they have a positive or negative opinion of interim football coach Everett Withers.

-- Robbi Pickeral