Not the time for Butch Davis to leave
North Carolina coach Butch Davis yesterday said he has no interest in the Tennessee job. In so doing, he hoped to avoid the sort of distraction to his Tar Heels that can come when your coach’s name is being bandied about in the media.
You never know how a coach will react if the siren call of a big contract comes. But the timing doesn’t seem right for Davis to leave. He hasn’t yet completed what he started at Chapel Hill.
Davis was 4-8 last year in his first season with the Tar Heels, including a win over Maryland. North Carolina hasn't finished above .500 since going 8-5 under John Bunting in 2001.
With a 7-2 record (3-2 in the conference), Davis seems to be nearing the breakthrough season that Carolina fans have been hoping and expecting. But it’s too early to say he’s accomplished enough to be looking for the next big payday.
Coach Friedgen, by the way, has been watching film of last season’s 16-13 loss at Carolina. What he noticed was how battered Maryland was entering the game – particularly the offensive line. “We were like the walking wounded,” the coach said. He said the Tar Heels have improved since then, and his team is healthier.
Comments
Butch said exactly the same thing before he left Miami for Cleveland in 2001 (and before Miami won any national titles under him). He assured his Miami players, coaches and recruits he was not leaving to go to Cleveland and then a day or so later he did just that when the offer to him was raised. Thereafter, he left the Browns in shambles in 2004 when he quit in the middle of a woeful season. He is not missed in Cleveland.
Posted by: John Fleder | November 13, 2008 11:28 AM
I'd have to think that Davis could get anything accomplished at UNC that he could at TN. Sure 'its the SEC' but - and I hate to say this - UNC has a lot of appeal as a destination for football players. Nice stadium. Lovely campus. Good school. I'm sure there is enough alumni money to support whatever he wants to do or needs done. Other than the SEC tag, dont you think Butch could build a really good program at UNC? Could he recruit the top level players he needs to compete on a 'national level'? Is it being a 'basketball school' a kiss of death?
Posted by: terps06 | November 13, 2008 12:59 PM
David is just another long line of "me-first " college coaches. By saying he has no interest, we know he has interest now and is probably gone after the season.
Posted by: Jake | November 14, 2008 10:19 AM