North Carolina fired football coach Butch Davis on Wednesday, saying the past year of turmoil amid an NCAA investigation into improper benefits and academic misconduct was doing too much damage to the school’s reputation.
The school issued a statement announcing Davis’ dismissal only nine days before the start of preseason practice. Chancellor Holden Thorp said the decision was not prompted by any changes in the ongoing NCAA investigation but said he “lost confidence in our ability to come through this without harming the way people think of this institution.”
“Our academic integrity is paramount, and we must work diligently to protect it,” Thorp said in a statement. “The only way to move forward and put this behind us is to make a change.”
The school has scheduled a news conference for this morning to discuss the change.
Davis compiled a 28-23 record in four seasons with the Tar Heels after taking over for John Bunting. His program looked ready to contend for an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a BCS berth last year before NCAA investigators arrived on campus last July.
In all, 14 players missed at least one game and seven were forced to sit out the entire season. Last month, the NCAA sent a notice of allegations to the school outlining numerous potential major violations.
Tulsa QB transferring
TULSA, Okla. — University of Tulsa quarterback Shavodrick Beaver, who was scheduled to sit out the 2011 season as an academic redshirt, has decided to transfer to Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Prep star picks Indiana
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Top- ranked high school quarterback Gunner Kiel has committed to play at Indiana University, according to multiple media outlets quoting his father and high school coach. Kiel’s older brother, Dusty, is a sophomore quarterback for the Hoosiers and their uncle, Blair Kiel, played quarterback at Notre Dame.
The Associated Press
