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Bunting out at UNC

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by Moderator1, Oct 22, 2006.

  1. Moderator1

    Moderator1 Moderator Staff Member

    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
     
  2. BYH

    BYH Active Member

    "He is a Tar Heel for life."

    Except, you know, not anymore.

    I'm always amused at the number of synonyms these PR hacks come up with for "FIRED."
     
  3. Chef

    Chef Active Member

    I was expecting a College Baseball thread.........continue on.
     
  4. Columbo

    Columbo Active Member

    If UNC hires Joe Girardi, bunting will be back in.
     
  5. MU_was_not_so_hard

    MU_was_not_so_hard Active Member

    In completely unrelated news, Willie Parker announces he will begin referencing North Carolina while being introduced before games.
     
  6. BigRed

    BigRed Active Member

    After watching the Heels in a blowout earlier this season, this was not exactly a shocking decision.
    When you're in your sixth year in a program and your only win is over I-AA Furman - and 45-42 at that - the firing line is never far away.
     
  7. BigRed

    BigRed Active Member

    This seems appropriate tonight..... the N and O had a bead on this situation all along.
    http://www.newsobserver.com/content/multimedia/sports/miamitwice/
     
  8. rgd

    rgd Guest

    I thought the thread title was in reference to the frilly red, white and blue decoration behind home plate during post-season baseball games. As you were...
     
  9. Sam Mills 51

    Sam Mills 51 Well-Known Member

    And it should shock no one. The rumors had been pretty rampant the last couple of weeks.

    Simply put, Dick Baddour can come up with a graceful way not to renew Bunting's contract, which should surprise no one, not even Bunting. But Bunting has represented the school well, and handled everything with class, which is why he's getting this treatment ... as opposed to Matt Doherty, who was tossed out of the Dean Dome head-first.

    It also now gives Chapel Hill the full go-ahead to start lining up candidates. Who's next? I wonder if Jim Donnan's been out of the loop too long now? Though Bunting is part of the family, this isn't the men's basketball post, and therefore will not need Dean's blessing.

    And MU ... don't count on Willie Parker saying anything but Clinton High School. His bitter feelings toward his lack of playing time at Chapel Hill won't subside anytime soon.
     
  10. micropolitan guy

    micropolitan guy Well-Known Member

    Carolin'a problem in Omaha was fielding them, not laying them down. ;)

    That Nov. 25 game against Duke should be a great one. Someone has to win, don't they?
     
  11. Sam Mills 51

    Sam Mills 51 Well-Known Member

    The Devils will be taking aim for the Victory Bell. And given how toothless Chapel Hill has looked this season, Duke may have a shot.
     
  12. The general feeling around the ACC is that those two teams will find a way to each lose.
     
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