In what has to be the biggest news for UNC football in quite some time, Butch Davis has been named head coach for the Tar Heels. Davis will immediately take over the recently fired John Bunting after the season’s end at Duke.
Davis was 51-20 as the Miami Hurricanes’ coach from 1995-00, then took over as the Cleveland Browns’ coach in 2001 and went 24-35. He resigned in 2004 from the Browns and worked the past two seasons in broadcasting for the NFL network.
The move brings instant credability to a awful UNC team that ranks among the worst in the nation in offense and defense.
The hire was announced at 4 p.m. and Davis released the following statement.
“The timing of my decision to consider coaching opportunities, and the opening at UNC seemed to intersect perfectly,” Davis said. “Dick Baddour made my introduction to Carolina happen in a well-planned, well-organized manner and did an outstanding job of presenting the virtues of UNC — its people, its strong commitment to both academics and athletics, as well as the exciting, active part it plays in the community. Obviously, he succeeded.”
Dick Baddour, the highly controversial athletic director of the Tar Heels commented on his excitement following the hire.
“Butch Davis became our first choice early in the process, although we did not know of his interest in us,” Baddour said. “We were excited to learn of his interest in Carolina and our football program and proceeded from that point. He’s a first-class individual who is committed to preparing his student-athletes for success in all aspects of their lives.”
