UNC Football Makes a Coaching Change

What happens when high expectations meet low production?

Change.

Luckily, UNC didn't blame me for predicting them to play in the ACC Championship game this year....with my track record on predictions ( the kiss of death ) I think I am going to predict Roy and the Boys this year will finish dead last.

Coach Bunting is a terrific representative of the University and we wish him well. He wants to see the program succeed and maybe a new coach can put a spark into a program needing something to get it back on the winning track.

Here is my coaching wish list: ( also check out http://www.mrtarheel.com/coachtopten.html )


MrTarheel's Top Ten New Coach Wish List

#10)
Gene Chizik
Hometown: Clearwater, Fla. High school: Clearwater (Clearwater, Fla.) College: Florida (1985) Graduate degree: Clemson (1991) Years in coaching: 21 Wife: Jonna Children: Landry Grace, Kennedy Danielle and Cally COACHING ASSIGNMENTS 2005-present: Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Texas 2002-04: Defensive Coordinator/Secondary, Auburn 1998-2001: Defensive Coordinator, Central Florida 1999-2001: Assistant Coach/Secondary, Central Florida 1998: Assistant Coach/Inside Linebackers, Central Florida 1996-97: Defensive Coordinator, Stephen F. Austin 1995-97: Assistant Coach/Secondary, Stephen F. Austin 1992-94: Assistant Coach/Linebackers, Stephen F. Austin 1990-91: Assistant Coach/Defensive Ends, Middle Tennessee State 1988-89: Graduate Assistant/Outside Linebackers, Clemson 1986-88: Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers, Seminole (Fla.) HS

#9) Carl Torbush
Just Kidding !

#8)Jimbo Fisher
In an age of college football when assistant coaches seem bounce from one university to the next, LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has been the exception rather than the rule. Fisher enters his seventh season as LSU’s offensive coordinator in 2006 and during his previous six years with the Tigers, he has established himself as one of the nation’s top offensive minds, while also serving as one of the school’s top recruiters. As Fisher enters his seventh season as LSU’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, he joins former assistant Ed Zaunbrecher as the longest tenured offensive coordinators in school history. Fisher joined the Tigers in 2000 and during that six-year span, Fisher has been a part of 59 victories, two Southeastern Conference titles and the 2003 BCS National Championship. The 59 victories since the 2000 season are the most in LSU history over any six-year period of the program, while the Tigers’ streak of six consecutive bowl games is a school record. Since 2000, Fisher’s offense’s have set numerous school records, including points in a season (475 in 2003), total yards (5,857 in 2003), and passing touchdowns (30 in 2003). Fisher’s offenses currently hold 13 LSU school records. Fisher’s success at LSU has come by blending together an offense that features both the passing and running games with an emphasis on putting the ball in the hands of the best players.

#7)Bill CubitCubit (pronounced: Q-bit) officially became the 14th coach in program history on Dec. 4, 2004, as the Broncos embarked on their 100th season of varsity football in 2005. Cubit, now entering his second season at the helm in 2006, has turned the program around in one season, bringing the first winning campaign to Kalamazoo since 2000. The Broncos’ 7-4 overall record and 5-3 conference mark was the second largest one-year turnaround in the nation in 2005 and was the largest one-year turn around in Mid-American Conference history. In doing so, he was named the MAC Coach of the Year and was ranked fourth among Division I-A coaches in the first year with their program. He brings 29 years of coaching experience, including 14 years as a head coach on the collegiate and high school level and seven years as an offensive coordinator at four NCAA Division I schools. Overall, Cubit has 19 years of collegiate experience, having worked the sidelines in five of the nation’s premiere conferences (Mid-American, Big East, Big XII, PAC-10 and Southeastern). Cubit returns to Western Michigan where he served as offensive coordinator from 1997-99. Cubit most recently served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Stanford University. He coached the quarterbacks for two seasons (2003-04) and served as offensive coordinator as well last season. In 2004, Cubit directed a Cardinal offense that ranked 28th in NCAA passing (247.3 yards per game). Prior to his stint in Palo Alto, Cubit served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Rutgers University (2001-02). He also worked as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach under Larry Smith at Missouri during the 2000 season.

#6 Tyrone Willingham
On Dec. 13, 2004, Tyrone Willingham was named Washington's 22nd head football coach. While he brought an impressive resume with him to resurrect the Husky program, Willingham has acquitted himself well among his peers for much more than just fielding winning teams. Over the past 29 years Willingham has developed a coaching style that emphasizes toughness, enthusiasm, intelligence, discipline, commitment and unselfish play. The result has provided his players with more than just the opportunity to enjoy victories on the field. His guiding principles have prepared his players to be successful in life. Willingham, 52, served as the head coach at Stanford (1995-2001) and Notre Dame (2002-2004) over the past decade. His Stanford teams enjoyed a 44-36-1 record while he was 21-15 with the Fighting Irish.

#5)Butch Davis
Davis returned to college football when he got his first chance as a head coach. Back at the University of Miami, he helped turn around a program that was in disarray. Despite facing NCAA sanctions that eliminated 31 scholarship spots, he managed to post a 51-20 record during his tenure as head coach and by his last year, the Hurricanes finished 11-1 and # 2 in the country. His Miami team went undefeated and won the national championship the year after Davis left. Returning to NFL football in 2001, Davis walked the sidelines as head coach of the Cleveland Browns. In 1999-2000 under head coach Chris Palmer the Browns, led by quarterback and 1999 number one draft pick Tim Couch, posted a 5-27 record. Davis led the team to a 7-9 record in his first year at the helm, missing the playoffs by a game. The Browns posted a 9-7 record and got a playoff berth in Davis's second year, getting in after winning two close games in a row against the Jaguars and the Falcons. In 2003, a quarterback controversy erupted between Couch and backup Kelly Holcomb after Holcomb, starting the 2002 playoff game for the injured Couch, threw for 429 yards and three touchdowns. Davis would ultimately give the starting job to Holcomb, though Couch did start a few games here and there. In the 2004 offseason, Davis made his quarterback intentions known, signing Jeff Garcia and cutting Couch. Davis resigned in early December 2004 after going 3-8 during that season and 24-35 overall coaching the Browns.

#4)Dave Clawson
Dave Clawson, Richmond's third-year head coach, has proven himself as a program builder after just seven years as a head coach. Clawson guided the biggest two-year turnaround in Spider football's 123-history in just his first two seasons, going 3-8 in 2004 and 9-4 in 2005. The Spiders finished a storybook season in 2005 which included a six-win turnaround from 2004, an eight-game win streak and a nine-game win streak over I-AA opponents. Clawson helped the Spiders to their third Atlantic 10 Conference title in eight years and guided them into the NCAA I-AA Playoffs for the first time since the 2000 season. Clawson's efforts did not go unheralded as the two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year was awarded the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in only his second year as a coach in the league. The league honor also marked his third Conference Coach of the Year honor in his last five years as a head coach (2001, 2002 Patriot League, 2005 Atlantic 10). Clawson, 39, also picked up his second National Coach of the Year honor when I-AA.org named him their National Coach of the Year. The national honor makes Clawson a two-time national award honoree, earning it once at two different schools. Clawson was also given both the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association Commonwealth Coach of the Year honor and the Richmond Touchdown Club College Coach of the Year award over the likes of Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and Virginia's Al Groh.

#3)Steve Kragthorpe
Entering his fourth year as the Head Football Coach at The University of Tulsa, Steve Kragthorpe has Golden Hurricane football on the cusp of the national limelight. Kragthorpe has instilled a successful attitude into a program that, before his arrival, hadn't had a winning season since 1991. In just three seasons at Tulsa, Kragthorpe has taken the Golden Hurricane to two bowl games, won more games in three years than Tulsa had won in the preceding seven seasons, captured Tulsa's first Conference Championship since 1985 and has put the Tulsa football program back on the map of national prominence. The 2005 campaign was Tulsa's first year as a member of Conference USA. Kragthorpe proceeded to lead the Hurricane to the C-USA West Division title with a 6-2 record and capturing a victory in the inaugural Conference USA Football Championship Game with a 44-27 win over Central Florida.

#2)
Paul Johnson
* this is really my #1 choice of likely candidates - Rodriguez is listed as #1 but no way he leaves WVU *
When college football experts around the country talk about the best college football coaches in America, the conversation should begin with Navy head coach Paul Johnson. What he has accomplished at the Naval Academy in four seasons has been of historic proportions. Johnson took over a program that had posted a 1-20 record the previous two years before his arrival in 2002. After a 2-10 mark in his first year, the Navy football program has achieved what many thought was no longer possible at an Academy, as Johnson has brought the Midshipmen back in to the national spotlight with a 26-11 (.703) record over the last three years. The Mids' 26 wins over that time span equals the most in school history over a three-year period. In 2005, despite returning the fewest starters in the country, Johnson led the Midshipmen to an 8-4 record, a school-record third-consecutive bowl game and a school-record second-straight bowl win. More importantly, Navy swept Academy rivals Air Force and Army to win the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy for a third-straight year, which is also a Navy first. Johnson has dominated the other two Service Academies during his tenure in Annapolis, posting a 7-1 record (.875). He is just the third coach in school history to start his career 4-0 against Army, joining Wayne Hardin and George Welsh. The Mids were led by the No. 1 rushing attack in the country, piling up 318.7 rushing yards per contest, and a hard-hitting defense that made plays when it had to. 2005 marked the second time in the last three years that Navy led the nation in rushing and the Mids have never finished lower than third in the nation under Johnson.

#1)Rich Rodriquez ( a long shot, I know)
Three straight BIG EAST championships. A Top 5 finish. Three straight New Year’s Day bowl game appearances and a Sugar Bowl victory. Six wins over Top 25 teams and home attendance averaging 94% of capacity. Innovative, high-energy and enthusiastic, Rich Rodriguez has built quite a resume as he propels Mountaineer football forward. Now in his sixth season on the job, Coach Rod has solidly positioned the Mountaineers to be among the dominant programs in the new BIG EAST configuration and in the top ranks of college football for seasons to come. Success in any format is nothing new to Rich Rodriguez, and his accomplishments keep outdoing themselves.

Hopefully, one of these coaches will be the next head coach for the UNC Tar Heel Football program.

Why the UNC Tar Heel Football Team may NOT play in the Championship Game!

One word.
Turnovers.

In their first two games, the football Tar Heels have outgained the opposition in total offensive yards. That's usually good. But, if you give the opposition the ball on the 1 yard line then they don't need to gain a lot of yards! They just need that 1 yard to score ! And that's what Va Tech did a masterfull job of Saturday against the Heels. They intercepted passes and blocked kicks to get the shortest field. And it worked like a charm.

Tar Heel fans have lots to worry about the rest of the way. A tough schedule , an inability to play mistake free football, etc. But maybe these Tar Heels can get better every week. And maybe they can play an entire game without a turnover. And maybe they can continue to toughen up against the run like they did this weekend. And maybe, just maybe, they can figure out how to gain 1 yard when it counts.

There are still 10 games left. Until they lose 5 or 6 they still have a chance at a good, bowl slected season. That's what makes college football so great.

Terribly biased,

MrTarheel



check out MrTarheel.com for photos, videos, and stories on the Tar Heels!

TAR HEELS just got Tacklin' Fuel

The 2006 UNC Football Tarheels looked a little passive in their opener against Rutgers U. The fan base is upset, the coaches are upset....and , hopefully, the players now have some Tacklin Fuel. For whatever reason, the Heels were not the most aggressive team Saturday. Proving everyone wrong about them may be the "fuel" that powers them to the kind of aggressive play they are capable of playing.

Can the Heels turn it around and still play in the conference championship? Of course they can. Most believe they have the talent to do so. It appears they need to step up their aggressiveness....and now they have the "tacklin' fuel" to do so.

Completely biased,

MrTarheel

Why the UNC Tar Heels will Play in the ACC Championship game

Sure, call me an optimist. However, if you follow college football, you will recall that each year there are always teams that surprise everyone. And this year it is the Tar Heels turn.

Here's why:

1) EXPERIENCE ON DEFENSE - Defense wins championships and UNC has good overall returning players on defense. From the depths of a few years back when the heels were probably the worst defensive team in the country the Tar Heels have improved each year and are ready to have a breakout year on the defensive side of the ball. Names like Kyndraus Guy, Hillee Taylor, Shelton Bynum, Larry Edwards and Kareen Taylor will dominate the headlines this season.

2) THE RETURN OF THE 1000 YARD RUSHER - or maybe rushers. I believe the ghosts of running backs past will make an appearance in Kenan Stadium this fall. The combo of McGill and Edwards could be as potent as the old Johnson-Johnson combo in the 90's. And it needs to be.
New quaterbacks and a new system/terminology could mean some problems in the passing game. But, a smashmouth running attack will eat up clock, move the chains and win games. And I believe this couching staff knows that.

3) ISSUES AT MIAMI AND VA TECH - I know most folks feel Miami is just too talented not to have a top 10 team this year but I am not so sure. Coaching does matter and I do not believe Larry Coker is a top 10 coach. They had a lot of coaching changes in the offseason and I believe that fact will mean a slow start for the Hurricanes.
At Va Tech, they have a restocking issue. They lost a lot of talent. They lost seven of their starters last year who were voted All-ACC. I just don't think they can play at the same level again with so many new starters in key positions. At the very least, it gives the Tar Heels a chance.
Also, not to forget about Ga Tech, they will have a tough time in the ACC as most of their tough ACC games are on the road ( at Va Tech, at Clemson, at NC State, at UNC ).

4) EXCELLENT COACHING STAFF - From top to bottom, the UNC coaching staff is top-notch. They have a mix of young and old coaching talent who all seem to be on the same page. The two coordinators are highly regarded in the football community and will get the job done this year.

5) OVERALL TALENT LEVEL - The Tar Heels have recruited well over the last 5 years and this is the year that many of those players have key roles on the team. Plus, they have quality depth which always is needed as injuries will happen. I don't know if any one player will be a "star" on this team ( maybe one will ) but one "star" cannot win games....football is a team game and I believe the Heels have a terrific TEAM that will get results on the field.

We'll know for sure soon. The Tar Heels get Va Tech ( in Chapel Hill ) for their second game of the season. Win that one and they are on their way!

Forever biased,
MrTarheel

UNC Tar Heels to face Heisman Candidate

In their season opener, the UNC football squad gets to go up against the Rutgers Scarlett Knights and their Heisman trophy touted fullback, Brian Leonard. Leonard is famous for his "Leonard Leap" where he leaps over would-be tacklers....a move that the Tar Heel defense will be prepared for.

Follow the Tar Heels at Mr Tarheel.com

Steorn - just buzz or huge breakthrough

Is it a marketing ploy? Or is it a dramatic change in our world? There are questions about Steorn to be answered....but, I for one want some FREE ENERGY !
Here are t-shirts to celebrate the buzz .

http://www.zazzle.com/gstrickzazzle/product/235564793848460037

Tar Heel Jokes

What a great book for tarheel fans.....Essential Jokes for Tar Heel fans compiles all the best jokes about the other ACC schools! see that and more at http://www.mrtarheel.com

Check out the Tarheel Soundboard !

UNC tarheel fans will enjoy this soundboard featuring audio clips from North Carolina players and coaches. Link is http://www.mrtarheel.com/sound.htm


There is also info on unc basketball, unc football, tyler hansbrough, and more at http://www.mrtarheel.com

UNC Tarheels spank Duke!

On March 4, 2006, the UNC Tarheels mens basketball team did what couldn't be done. No way a team that plays mostly freshmen and sophomores could beat the experienced Blue Devils on Senior night. But they did. A great win! More info can be found at www.mrtarheel.com as well as victory tshirts and the famous Psycho T. Check out the photo jam of the game.
Go Heels !

UNC Chapel Hill - the legend continues PSYCHO T

What a basketball season so far.....the tar heels keep exceeding my expectations. Tyler Hansbrough has been terrific for the heels....love the nickname he earned in the weight room- Psycho T.

Here's the t-shirt of the year ....the PSYCHO T !


AVAILABLE AT www.cafepress.com/tarheelapparel

UNC Tarheel football Recruiting class !

Outstanding job by the coaching staff bringing in this year's recruiting class! See the new tarheels at http://northcarolina.rivals.com/commitlist.asp .
Also, be sure to check out the new info at www.MrTarheel.com ....have you tried the tarheel basketball quiz yet? Great links to tarheel apparel and merchandise also.
Go Heels !