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

Tar Heel boosters considering lawsuit against UNC

A group of North Carolina football supporters who agreed to help fund Kenan Stadium’s “Blue Zone” project are exploring possible legal action against chancellor Holden Thorp and the school.

Don Brown, one of five attorneys representing the group, said he plans to file a public information request as early as today asking for all correspondence – including emails, text messages, letters and voice recordings – between the Chancellor and various University officials.

The issue, according to Brown: Why was Butch Davis fired just nine days before fall practice, and after repeated public statements over the past year supporting Davis as UNC’s head coach?

“I can tell you, everybody that we represent is furious about the timing of Butch Davis’ firing,’’ Brown, whose Brown & Associates firm is based in Charlotte, said during a phone interview this morning. “They feel like their investment was based on Butch Davis being the head coach … and the public reassurances over the past year that he would remain the coach. … They want answers.”

Brown and the other four lawyers are all UNC graduates and have taken on the case pro bono, Brown said. The group they represent wants to remain anonymous at this point, he said, but includes donors of differing financial contributions.

Brown stressed that a lawsuit hasn’t been filed, and he doesn’t know what a cause of action or damages might be: “At this point, we are seeking information … The law we are stressing now is the North Carolina Public records law,’’ he said. “I can’t speculate further than that … what the law might be [in the case of donations] depends on the facts of what facts we find.”

UNC faces an Oct. 28 date with the NCAA Infractions committee to discuss nine allegations of potentially major violations that included academic misconduct and impermissible benefits. The NCAA investigation began more than a year ago; 14 players missed at least one game last season and seven sat out the entire year as a result.

Thorp pledged his support of Davis throughout the investigation, saying there was no evidence that Davis knew about any misconduct. But then he abruptly fired Davis July 27, he said, because the scandal was damaging the academic reputation of the University.

“The chancellor's explanation doesn't … pass the smell test,’’ Brown said.  “… It doesn't make sense that why you would do such an about face, raises more questions than answers. People want answers.”


-- Robbi Pickeral

Davis says Thorp didn't communicate concerns about offer

Former University of North Carolina football coach Butch Davis said in a statement late Thursday night that he believes UNC chancellor Holden Thorp didn't promptly communicate to Davis any concerns Thorp had about the recruitment of Davis' son, Drew.

"I’m disappointed Chancellor Thorp has chosen to mention our son publicly as a part of his explanation for the decision to terminate my job," Davis said. "The first time I was made aware the chancellor had any concerns whatsoever about the recruiting of my son was the Friday before I was fired — and he did not communicate those concerns to me personally. Once I was made aware that he had become uneasy about the situation, I immediately called him to discuss it. I left a message on his voice mail that was not returned."

Thorp, who fired Davis on July 27, said Thursday afternoon that Davis offered a scholarship to East Chapel Hill High quarterback Drew Davis without first consulting Thorp or athletic director Dick Baddour.

As he has repeatedly, Thorp said Thursday there were many factors that led to Davis' firing as the football program was charged with nine major NCAA violations in June. With respect to the Drew Davis scholarship offer, Thorp said he would have preferred for Butch Davis to consult with Baddour or Thorp first so they could be on the same page with all the controversy surrounding the program

In Davis' statement, he said Drew Davis had already decided to come to UNC as a walk-on in order to give someone else a scholarship opportunity.

"My wife and I had also decided that in addition to the financial gifts we already make to the university annually, we would also contribute a scholarship through UNC’s Family Scholarship Fund so a member of an employee’s family could attend the university," Davis said.

"It's clear Chancellor Thorp knew for some time that Drew was being recruited by our football program. But he expressed no concerns to me whatsoever. I can assure you that if he'd given me any indication during those months that he was the least bit concerned, I would gladly have taken the time to sit down and discuss the issue with him."

Ken Tysiac

Thorp caught off guard by Davis scholarship offer

University of North Carolina chancellor Holden Thorp said today that he was disappointed that former football coach Butch Davis offered son Drew Davis a football scholarship without consulting with Thorp or UNC athletic director Dick Baddour.

Thorp added, once again, that there was no one reason for Davis’ firing July 27, but rather a “collection of problems” as UNC faces NCAA allegations of nine major violations and an Oct. 28 hearing before of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions.

Drew Davis is a senior quarterback at East Chapel Hill High. Thorp said that with all of the controversy surrounding the program, it would have been better for Butch Davis to talk with Thorp and Baddour before offering Drew a scholarship.

“I found out about that a couple months ago when I saw it online,” Thorp said during a telephone interview today, “and yes, I was disappointed that neither the athletic director nor I knew about that.”

Thorp said UNC’s program is under a lot of scrutiny and needs everybody to pull together to make sure things work best for the program. The NCAA’s Notice of Allegations arrived June 21; it was also revealed in June that fewer than 12 players had amassed 395 parking tickets with fines totaling $13,125.

In July, UNC officials learned that they had failed to detect plagiarism in a term paper written by defensive lineman Michael McAdoo, who’s been ruled ineligible by the NCAA.

Butch Davis was to be paid an average of $2.2 million a year under the contract extension he signed after the 2007 season. Tuition and fees at UNC for an in-state student in the 2011-12 academic year cost $7,008.70.

“Drew is a good kid and I feel bad for him in all this,” Thorp said, “and for all I know, we would love to have him on the football team. But with everything going on, it would be good for the athletic director and the coach to talk about that and probably for all three of us to talk.”

Ken Tysiac

Thorp e-mail explains Davis' dismissal

University of North Carolina chancellor Holden Thorp explained in an e-mail to students and colleagues today that changing football coaches was the only way for the school to move forward.

Thorp fired coach Butch Davis on July 27. The full text of Thorp's e-mail is below:

Dear Carolina Colleagues and Students:
My decision last week to ask head football coach Butch Davis to step
down was difficult. I think it was the right decision, and I wanted to
let you know why I made that call.

Throughout the NCAA investigation of our football program, I said that
we would take all accusations seriously and that we would face issues
head on. We apologized, and we pledged that the athletic department and
the University would be stronger as a result of the investigation. We
have cooperated fully with the NCAA and we have moved deliberately,
resisting the urge and pressure to make snap judgments.

Early on, I thought that it was important to support Coach Davis and to
allow time for improvements in the football program. But in the past few
months, I became increasingly concerned about the damage being done to
our University's integrity. When we received the NCAA letter of
allegations a month ago, I began to think about the need to make a
change. After 50 years without any major violations, we are now facing
nine allegations. And there are persistent questions about our
commitment to academic integrity. In the final analysis, there wasn't
any one thing that tipped my decision. It was the cumulative effect of
the football-related events of the past year on the University's
reputation. The only way to move forward and put this behind us was to
make a coaching change to restore confidence in the University as well
as our football program.

The difficulty of my decision was compounded by cost (up to $2.7 million
under the terms of Coach Davis' contract - all of which will come from
the athletic department) and timing (just before the start of training
camp for the team). But the reputation of this University and the
integrity of our football program have a value beyond any dollar figure
or any timeline disruption. I am committed to maintaining our standing
as one of the top public universities in the nation - both in academics
and in athletics.

Athletic Director Dick Baddour and I named Everett Withers, a member of
the current staff, as the interim head football coach. His top priority
is to help our student-athletes succeed on and off the field and in the
classroom. Dick also announced his decision to step down as athletic
director before his planned retirement later this year. He offered to
leave his job sooner because he feels strongly that our ability to
recruit a new head coach depends on having a new athletic director in
place to make that hire. I agree with that and reluctantly accepted
Dick's offer. He will serve out his contract through next June, but will
step aside and assume other duties when a new athletic director arrives.
Right now, we're putting together our response to the NCAA that's due on
September 19. Then we'll go before the NCAA infractions committee on
October 28. We need Dick Baddour with us when we go to Indianapolis to
meet with the NCAA. There is no other person I would rather have by my
side than Dick.

One additional issue requires attention this year. I've talked to
several faculty members recently, including new Faculty Chair Jan
Boxill, about the role of the Honor Court. Jan has agreed to pull
together a group of respected faculty members who will help us consider
changes or improvements to the honor system. We have a long tradition of
a strong student-run Honor Court, and of course, we'll involve students
and Student Government representatives in our analysis. Regardless of
the situation with football, it just makes good sense to seek ways to
improve our commitment to honor and integrity.

I hope you'll continue to support our student-athletes and the Tar Heel
football team. They will play their hearts out, just like last year.

Thanks to those of you I've heard from on this issue since it began.
I'll share more updates as developments warrant. In the meantime, best
wishes for a great fall semester.

Sincerely,

Holden

Ken Tysiac

USA Today coaches poll released

The USA Today college football coaches poll is out, and South Carolina in, and possibly underrated, at No. 12.

The Gamecocks are the only Carolinas team in the initial rankings, although North Carolina (with 14 points), Clemson (7), and N.C. State (4)  also received votes.

Oklahoma is No. 1, with Alabama, Oregon, LSU and Florida State rounding out the top 5. 

In addition to Florida State, the ACC is represented in the top 25 by No. 13 Virginia Tech.

In addition to Alabama and LSU, No. 14 Arkansas, No. 19 Auburn, No. 20 Mississippi State, No. 22 Georgia and No. 23 Florida are in from the SEC.

Former Tar Heels getting their shot

T.J. Yates is getting two-thirds of the snaps with the Houston Texans because free agent quarterback Matt Leinart can't practice until at least today. That puts the former North Carolina quarterback on an accelerated learning curve. Will it mean a former Tar Heel quarterback in the NFL (and actually playing quarterback)?

And defensive tackle Marvin Austin, suspended all of last season for improper contact with an agent, is with the New York Giants and trying to play himself back into football shape.

RB Furr to transfer from UNC

With the start of practice just two days away, junior running back Hunter Furr has decided to transfer from the University of North Carolina, the school announced today.

Furr asked interim head coach Everett Withers this week to release him from his scholarship. Withers said Furr is looking for more playing time.

In two seasons, Furr carried eight times for 35 yards.

“I've enjoyed being a part of this program and I’ve developed several great relationships with my teammates and coaches," Furr said in a statement released by the school. "I feel it’s in the best interest of my football career to transfer and compete for playingtime at another institution." 

Ken Tysiac

Sisa fills out staff at UNC

Steve Sisa, who has been promoted to safeties coach, will fill out the coaching staff of interim head coach Everett Withers at North Carolina, the school announced today.
Sisa is in his second season with the Tar Heels and worked in player development last year. UNC had a position to fill on the staff after head coach Butch Davis was fired last week and defensive coordinator Withers was promoted to interim head coach.

“With practice beginning in just a few days, we wanted to move quickly to complete our staff,” Withers said in a statement. “I felt it was most important to add someone who knew the players and was a good fit with our other coaches. Steve has developed outstanding relationships with our players and is excited to begin.”

Sisa had served as a graduate assistant in 2008 and 2009 at Southern Mississippi. His career as a linebacker at perennial Division III power Bridgewater (Va.) College was cut short by a shoulder injury.

Ken Tysiac

UNC will go quiet after practice starts

North Carolina's football team, with new interim head coach Everett Withers at the helm, will open fall practice as scheduled.


But don't expect to hear anything from them publicly for about six days after that.

Although Friday's first workout will be open to the media for about 45 minutes, and several players will be available afterward, UNC's practices will then be closed and the Tar Heels will not be available to talk to the media until the following Thursday.

"We're trying to let the team have a week to practice with Coach Withers, and be around him and the coaching style as a head coach before we open up to media requests every day,'' team spokesman Kevin Best explained. "The team's been through a lot, and we want them to enjoy training camp and football."

The players report on Thursday, and they return to Chapel Hill with their program in a far different situation than when they left it.. Withers was hired Thursday, a day Butch Davis -- who was set to begin his fifth season -- was fired as head coach. Athletics director Dick Baddour has resigned, although he will stay on until a successor is found.

And school officials have an October date with the NCAA Committee on Infractions, which is expected to eventually dole out penalties. A year ago, the NCAA began investigating allegations of academic misconduct and impermissible benefits in the program

Robbi Pickeral