Hey UNC, Let's Be Average!

There's a lot of talk and debate recently about the compensation given to Butch Davis ( and Roy Williams - only Butch takes the heat 'cause he doesn't coach basketball ). Maybe there's something to the notion that THE UNC should get back to it's roots and stick with the "mission" of an institution of higher learning....meaning academics get the money. Many think we pay too much to get the best coaches.

But, are coaches and professors really the same?

Are professors and administrators set up with 1year or 3 year contracts like coaches are? Is there intense pressure on them to "produce" the top academic results in the nation or risk getting fired? Is there really a good system to judge how well a professor is performing? If we paid our professors more would they perform better? or could we go out and hire better ones?

What about our free market economy? Do they teach that at UNC? Hopefully we pay our professors at or above what the market will bear if they are performing well. It just so happens that the market for top notch football coaches is good. And if you are good you should expect to earn a lot more than a professor....that's just the facts.

Hey, let's face it.

UNC alumni and fans are spoiled. We had the best coach ( Dean Smith ) for a lot of years who had integrity, who loved the University, and wasn't doing it to get rich.

That situation was the ultimate for a University. Now we have Roy. And he is paid well.

Now we need a football coach. and Butch is a good man who is a proven winner.

And he needs to be paid.

That is what is takes to compete at most Universities. There will not be another Dean Smith coming down the pike who will be the best and not ask for money every year.

UNC can either admit ( I think it already has ) that excellence in football is important to the overall mission of the school OR it can accept being "average" in football. Actually, recently we have been below average.

I believe UNC is doing the right thing when it pays Butch Davis more. Keep his compensation competitive and let the world know that UNC is committed to football. If Butch wins, it won't actually cost the University anything because of the extra revenue that will be generated from ticket sales, merchandise, bowl games, etc.

Or, we can go back to what we used to do.

I hear Coach Bunting is ready to give it another try.

Top 5 Changes to Tarheel Football

by MrTarheel

Over at Kenan Stadium, change is in the air!

There's a real professional coach running things now and he has already changed quite a bit in the program. I thought I would highlight some of the best I see and some I think we will see in the next few months.

5. Pace

Butch Davis has implemented a system where everything is done fast. The team practices fast, they are given information fast, and they are expected to learn fast. The hope is that come game day the players will be used to playing at a faster pace and will easily adjust to game conditions. Kind of like the scene in the movie The Matrix where Neo dodges bullets in slow motion!

4. Speed

Since I'm using movie references, think Micky from Rocky. The Heels are after "greasy fast lightning speed"! No, they are not chasing chickens around the practice fields but the emphasis is definitely different this year in how they train their bodies for the season. Less overall lifting strength and more speed. If you watched the Tar Heel football team the last few years you may have noticed that many teams seemed a step faster than the Heels.....those days are over. That will be one of the first things I look for when watching the JMU game.

3. Chemistry

Rumor has it the last few staffs over at Kenan weren't always on the same page....Butch Davis has assembled guys who work well together and understand the importance of teamwork amongst the staff. They seem to have fun while they are demanding. They have developed thoughtful practice plans that will benefit the entire team. This change shouldn't be overlooked .....I think we will see that the players feed off of that and we will see a more cohesive unit on the field.

2. Building

Something as simple as removing a door can send a strong message. An "open door" policy over at Kenan should tell players that the coaches are always there to help them. Coach Davis removed some doors, removed a few walls and updated equipment and paint. The result I hear is a more open environment that fosters communication with all the teammates and provides a more "inspiring" environment to workout in. There have also been additions to the stadium ( LED boards showing scores,etc ) that should add to the game experience for the fans.

1. Expectations

Make no mistake. Butch Davis and the Tar Heels are striving for BCS bowls and National Championships. They won't get there this year but these players will fight and scratch in every game this year in their quest to play with a championship attitude. These players believe they are a part of something special and we will see that on the field this season. That starts at the top. The Tar Heels have been missing that component for a while ....not that the past coaches didn't want to compete in the Top 10 but I don't think they truly believed the team could accomplish that nor did they know how to get the program there.

Go Heels! enjoy more at http://www.mrtarheel.com/

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UNC Tarheels - Butch Davis- Can the tarheels afford him?

UNC will be writing some big checks to Butch Davis. Is he worth it?
MrTarheel comments here

There is Justice in the World

Ever wonder what it is like to have the world pulling against you? Coach K and his band of goons at Duke know what it is like. And the dislike for their program is well deserved. The non-stop flops, the Laettner stomp, the whining, the cursing, the lack of fouls being called on them....the list goes on and on. There are so many reasons to hate the dookies. Gerald "Hitman" Henderson's forearm shiver to Psycho T's mug is just the latest reason. The contrast between UNC and Duke is interesting...good vs evil. Ask people what they think of when they think of the UNC Tar Heel program and you will get answers like class, tradition, winning, excellence, etc. Ask people about the Duke program and you will hear arrogance, win at all costs, hypocrites, etc.

And, maybe that's the way it should be. I must admit it sure does make the UNC vs Duke games something special. Especially when GOOD beats EVIL.

MrTarheel

UNC Tarheels Basketball - Full Steam Ahead

We ( actually me ) here at MrTarheel.com are in basketball overload right now. Watching the evolution of this year's basketball heels is fascinating and with a game every few days it is non-stop! I can't wait to see how the team handles the ACC Tournament( where Roy's teams usually don't do so well ) and the NCAA tournament. This year Tyler has some help on the inside and that should give us a chance in every game.

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