Bunting out at UNC

CHAPEL HILL --- John Bunting will not return as head coach of the University
of North Carolina football program in 2007, Director of Athletics Dick
Baddour announced this evening. Bunting, a 1972 UNC graduate, is in his
sixth year as the Tar Heels¹ head coach. Bunting will continue to coach the
Tar Heels through the rest of this season.

Bunting and Baddour met on Sunday at which time Baddour informed Bunting
that he would be relieved of his duties at the end of this season. The team
was told Sunday evening at a meeting after the players returned from Fall
Break.

Bunting became head coach in December 2000. He led the Tar Heels to a Peach
Bowl win following the 2001 season and wins over No. 5 ranked Florida State
in 2001 and No. 4 Miami in 2004. He has three seasons remaining on his
contract (2007-08-09) at $286,200 per year.

³Changing coaches is never a pleasant experience, but it is even more
difficult when you consider the character and integrity of someone like John
Bunting,² says Baddour. ³He and his wife, Dawn, have given so much to the
University, to Carolina athletics and to the local community. John led us to
some of the most exciting wins in Carolina football history, put character
and academics first, and never once compromised his or the University¹s
principles. This is simply one of those times when it is in the best
interest of the football program to make a change. I appreciate and applaud
John¹s commitment to his alma mater, to our football program, and most
important, to his student-athletes and coaches.

³I have an extraordinary amount of respect for John and have thoroughly
enjoyed the relationship we have forged over these six seasons," says
Baddour. "We¹ve gone through great highs and disappointing lows, but John
always remained focused on the next game, the next practice, the next
recruit. He cares deeply for the University and the game of football and
takes great care to see that the game is played with unbridled passion and
enthusiasm. He is a Tar Heel for life.²

³I am disappointed and of course I don¹t agree with the decision, but I know
I must accept it,² says Bunting. ³My love for this great University has not
and never will waver. I am very proud of the many great things we have
accomplished over the past six years. We simply have not won enough games
this year.

³Dick Baddour has supported Carolina football and me in every possible way.
I appreciate the opportunity he gave me six years ago. We¹ve developed a
very strong working and personal relationship that I value very much.
³My thoughts and concerns are for my players, coaches and staff, and my
focus for the next five weeks will be on helping them. I will do all I can
to prepare them for our remaining games, challenge them to accomplish all
they can academically and ensure that they continue to represent this
University in a first-class manner.

³My staff and I are committed to maintaining our current recruiting class.
We currently have a strong recruiting class and we will work hard to
continue to impress upon them the many incredible aspects of the University
of North Carolina and the Tar Heel football program. We have many components
of a winning program on the right track and I am confident Carolina football
will reach great heights in the future.

³I want to thank our many great supporters that have hung in there with us
through thick and thin. That includes those faculty and staff with whom I
have developed a strong bond as they helped us strive to reach our goals on
and off the field.²

³John Bunting is a great Tar Heel, and he has run our football program with
integrity and honor,² says Chancellor James Moeser. ³We have utmost respect
for John, his passion for the University and his commitment to his
student-athletes and staff. We are pleased that he will coach the rest of
the season and hope that this decision will put to rest some of the
questions surrounding the future of the program, and allow the team its best
chance to be successful in the remaining games.²