Thorp: Davis’ status “not a fair question,” and “plan right now” is for Davis to remain!

General Quotes of Note UNC Scandal27

As you can read about here, today UNC-CH Chancellor Holden Thorp gave some very interesting answers to questions about Butch Davis’ job status.

Asked, prior to a meeting with UNC’s faculty, if he could definitively say that Davis would remain as the football coach, Thorp began his response by saying it wasn’t a fair question. Then he added: “Competitive, big-time football is a hazardous undertaking, but the plan right now is for him to be the coach next year. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do to get to the bottom of this, and we’re pleased with him.”

Not a fair question?  Hilarious!  Imagine if he had been asked about the pictures of Butch yukking it up with “World Wide Wes.”  How would Thorp have characterized that question?

Next, I wanted to make sure that nobody missed this story that broke last night.  Apparently Former UNC player Chris Hawkins is an agent (as the NCAA defines him) or a runner for agents, and is all wrapped up in the scandal involving the Georgia player’s jersey sale.  You can see a shorter version of the story here.

Anyway, I though the most interesting thing in the very meaty ESPN article was this paragraph:

A UNC official said Thursday Hawkins has frequently visited North Carolina’s football facility during the past few years, including a visit this summer in which he worked out with Parker in the team’s weight room. The school official said Hawkins often described himself as Parker’s manager.

So agents or agent runners apparently have free run of the UNC football building!  This is interesting news in that I think it is against NCAA regulations for underclassmen to have any contact with agents.  And this particular agent or runner was a UNC football player who Bunting kicked off the team!  But apparently it is OK if he comes back as an agent and hangs out in the UNC football building!  How out of control is it over there, seriously?

As another bonus, Hawkins played on the same team with Marcus Wilson, who was involved in the NCAA investigation into this whole mess (we know he at least was in charge of questioning Wes Saunders about Marvin Austin.)

Here is a great shot of Marcus.  He looks impartial, wouldn’t you say?

General Quotes of Note UNC Scandal

27 Responses to Thorp: Davis’ status “not a fair question,” and “plan right now” is for Davis to remain!

  1. TAEdisonHokie 09/10/2010 at 4:08 PM #

    Just read the article from ACCNow….key phrase is “the plan right now”.

  2. Clarksa 09/10/2010 at 4:21 PM #

    This is a classic line: “Competitive, big-time football is a hazardous undertaking.”

    I can’t take credit for this, but a poster on PP pointed out that someone should ask Thorp if “competitive, big-time basketball is a hazardous undertaking.”

  3. Alpha Wolf 09/10/2010 at 4:26 PM #

    There are schools that have in their contracts that a coach who lands the school on probation is subject to for-cause termination (no buyout.)

    That bastion of integrity, UNC, must not make that demand.

    Interesting.

  4. TOBtime 09/10/2010 at 4:27 PM #

    His answer or more accurately what isn’t in his answer says volumes. ‘ol butch-slap is done.

    Marcus Wilson (seriously where do they get names like Marcus and COnnor?) looks like he should be working the other end of that sheep.

  5. tractor57 09/10/2010 at 4:42 PM #

    not fair my rosy rear

  6. JeremyH 09/10/2010 at 4:46 PM #

    i lol’d

  7. MrPlywood 09/10/2010 at 4:49 PM #

    “Competitive, big-time football is a hazardous undertaking.” Ummm, maybe someone in their journalism school can parse that one for me. They should all have haz-mat suits on while working on their “investigation”.

  8. choppack1 09/10/2010 at 5:14 PM #

    While it’s not really fair to pass judgement on an investigation until an investigation is complete – this whole thing just reaks.

    It’s like an election in the USSR. It’s like having the police department investigate the police department – and the only report on it being ex-policeman for the same cities who left in good standing.

    This whole thing stinks – and I’m not really expecting anything to come from this anymore.

    Let’s look at how this has been handled – in every case, the university has waited until the last possible second to act. They didn’t announce who was going to play vs. LSU until the players were getting on the buses.

    John Blake wasn’t dismissed until after the first game and the team had a bye week to bring someone in and get him up to speed. Heck – he was even given severance pay…FOR RESIGNING UNDER A CLOUD OF SUSPICION!!!

    Like I said yesterday, this is banana republic crap – and if UNC doesn’t punish itself seriously – the public who doesn’t like UNC – unfortunately, probably a minority in our state – can’t say we’re surprised – the fix was in from the start.

  9. WolftownVA81 09/10/2010 at 5:20 PM #

    I like the banner. Very catchy and a good comeback for all the excuse makers in CH.

  10. packalum44 09/10/2010 at 5:56 PM #

    I think there are many alumni who are disappointed and want those culpable to be punished, my sister being one of them. She gives two shits about football but does care about the hypocrisy because she was nauseated by the “honor code” they push to their students but believes if they push that crap to the students from atop their pedestal, well then walk the walk.

    A normal student caught handing in an entire paper written by someone would likely fail the class at the LEAST and possibly get kicked out of school or go on probation. Make no mistake this scandal makes the entire state and all schools in the UNC system look bad INCLUDING our own. Heads must roll and I mean starting at the top.

  11. old13 09/10/2010 at 6:13 PM #

    Thorp = Oblinger = naive = in over his head

    Every time I hear this guy open his mouth, I have the impression that he couldn’t find his ass with both hands and a flashlight!

  12. ADVENTUROO 09/10/2010 at 6:20 PM #

    I can’t remember if I posted this before. Courtesy of a SOON TO BE BANNED InsideCarolina poster. The guys who post rational comments often start with….”this will probably get me banned….”. If you scroll down some of the hot topics, you will find posters whose only comment is BANNED. They have NOT figured out how to purge the data bases. Isn’t it really interesting that the University that would NOT let a person speak out against Immigration proposes to be the paragon of FREE Speech. I think they were harmed, genetically, when the Legislature imposed a “Speaker Ban” several decades ago.

    Here is the actual language from Section IX of Coach Paul H. Davis, Jr.’s January 9, 2008 employment agreement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill if anyone is interested:

    IX. TERMINATION BY UNIVERSITY FOR CAUSE

    This Agreement may be terminated by UNIVERSITY for Cause at any time upon written notice to COACH. For purposes hereof, “Cause” shall mean the following:

    (a) material failure to perform any of the duties specified in Section II (Duties);

    (b) a violation by COACH, or knowing participation by COACH in a violation, or a violation by the assistant coaches under COACH’s supervision of which COACH had reason to know, should have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence in the exercise of his duties under this Agreement, or which COACH condoned, of a major NCAA regulation or bylaw, or of a major ACC regulation or bylaw, or of a policy of or applicable to UNIVERSITY. For purposes of this
    Section IX(b), whether or not a violation has occurred shall be reasonably determined in the sole discretion of UNIVERSITY after its review of the relevant facts and circumstances;

    (c) a violation by Football Program staff members (other than assistant coaches) or by student-athletes under COACH’s supervision, of which COACH had reason to know or which COACH condoned, of a major NCAA regulation or bylaw, or of a major ACC regulation or bylaw, or of a policy of or applicable to UNIVERSITY. For purposes of this Section IX(c), whether or not a violation has occurred shall be reasonably determined in the sole discretion of UNIVERSITY after its review of the relevant facts and circumstances;

    (d) conviction by COACH of any felony or any crime that involves dishonesty, or behavior by COACH that displays a continual or serious disrespect for the integrity and ethics of the UNIVERSITY;

    (e) any other material breach by COACH of the terms of this Agreement; or

    (f) any of those causes specified in Section III.B.4. of the UNIVERSITY’s Employment Policies for EPA Non-Faculty Employees, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, as such Employment Policies may be amended from time to time.

    In the event of a termination under this Section IX for “Cause ,” UNIVERSITY’s sole obligation to COACH shall be payment of his compensation as set forth in Section III of this Agreement earned through the date of such termination. The UNIVERSITY shall not be liable to COACH for any collateral business opportunities , outside activities, or other non-UNIVERSITY matters that may be related to or associated with COACH’ s position as Head Football Coach. Any process to terminate COACH for Cause shall be conducted in compliance with all relevant UNIVERSITY policies.

    Notice that the Contract has the dreaded “SPIRIT” clause….I guess that the AD and folks wanted something to show the Administration so they said, we put in the Jimmy V clause….

  13. bradleyb123 09/10/2010 at 6:34 PM #

    I have a sinking feeling that they will find a way to weasel their way through this somehow, too. But then I think, “Can it really be THIS bad, and they come through it unscathed???”

    Imagine the message that would send to future recruits. Come here, and you can get away with MURDER!

    For me, this has moved beyond wanting to see Carolina pay. I’m firmly in the camp of people who want to see the corrupt folks LOSE. But I’m afraid that only happens in the movies.

    I’m afraid there is too much Carolina blood in positions of power to let something happen to their beloved Carolina. But best case (for them), they have taken a major BLACK EYE in all this, and there is a stigma that will hang around Chapel Hill for years to come.

    And maybe if they come through this with a slap on the wrist, people will finally believe us when we say some of their wins on the field/court were rigged. Because if they come through this smelling like a rose, it will be because the fix is indeed in.

    Thanks to SFN for keeping the heat on. Because you guys report stuff that our so-called local media won’t dare print.

  14. newt 09/10/2010 at 6:55 PM #

    [quote]North Carolina athletics director Dick Baddour offered a strong endorsement of coach Butch Davis Friday afternoon, telling the Capital Sports Report, “He’s the fit for the University of North Carolina.”

    …

    “I believe in what he stands for. I believe he knows how to build a program,” Baddour said. He praised Davis for knowing how to develop and motivate his staff. He also praised Davis for understanding the role of the football program in a university setting.

    “I believe he’s committed to the academic values of the institution,” Baddour said.[/quote]

    All I have to say is BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, man, what a joke.

    http://capitalsportzone.blogspot.com/2010/09/baddour-davis-is-fit-for-unc.html

  15. cWOhLFrPAiCKs 09/10/2010 at 7:36 PM #

    UNC is waiting for themselves or the NCAA to find something concrete on Butch, whether it’s that he did know something, or that he should have known something. As much as they’d like to bury this under the rug, they won’t want to pay a bad cheater for wrongful termination. They know that Butch is not going anywhere, and I bet more than a few of the alumni/boosters, see a cheap way out of the “BMFD era”. I don’t care how long he stays. That program is going nowhere fast, now, and will be in the hole for a while…

  16. tuckerdorm1983 09/10/2010 at 7:59 PM #

    “The eligibility of the 13 players who sat out for the game against LSU remains unclear, and those found to be involved in the infractions could go before the university honor court”, Thorp said.

    SAY WHAT??? WTF???
    You mean UNC students get to decide if their UNC football players get to play. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A DOG AND PONY SHOW AND THE FOX GUARDING THE HEN HOUSE.

    I see the following punishments by the UNC HONOR COURT
    “Academic probation all around and don’t do it again, especially until the season ends”

    http://honor.unc.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=135

  17. primacyone 09/10/2010 at 10:30 PM #

    Wow. Forget the NCAA. UNC is about to become the full fledge laughing stock of all of college athletics. Wow.

    Thorp and Baddour really should shut their mouth.
    I think they have both sealed their fate the last couple of days. Wow!

    Talk about a lack of institutional control. Wow, it’s on full display now. These two guys have completely lost it.

  18. choppack1 09/10/2010 at 11:02 PM #

    I’d really like for a reporter to ask Thorp to expand on his statement of “big time college football” being a “hazardous” undertaking….

    Does that mean you believe you have to let individuals of questionable moral fiber either coach or play for your team?

    Does that mean that when you hired Butch – and let him bring in someone like Blake – you realized that they may cut some corners in order to bring UNC that football glory?

    Finally – simply explain – why is it hazardous???

  19. highstick 09/10/2010 at 11:45 PM #

    How many times have you heard a child say “NO FAIR”? That just shows you they are playing for a sympathy vote or a MORAL ADJUDICATION!

  20. wbnation 09/11/2010 at 12:38 AM #

    Then he added: “Competitive, big-time football is a hazardous undertaking, but the plan right now is for him to be the coach next year.

    since when is losing in 2 Tire Bowls considered “big-time football”???? Delusional much….

  21. PackerInRussia 09/11/2010 at 1:35 AM #

    “Competitive, big-time football is a hazardous undertaking…”

    Is that just a fancy way to say, “Everyone’s doing it?”

  22. rtpack24 09/11/2010 at 2:14 AM #

    Let’s see South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia. all being investigated for agent related activities with players. All of these schools investigation has ties to UNC. Butch’s nanny is one of the tutors writing papers and doing whatever else. Professors did not notice level of work of the tutor written papers? This is a mess my friends and throwing Blake out of the boat does not solve their problems. Once again all I will say is stay tuned!

  23. highstick 09/11/2010 at 7:11 AM #

    Need to rename the banner as follows:

    The Holes Sold Their Souls for Two Tire Bowls~

  24. sbas2 09/11/2010 at 7:17 AM #

    note this article from WRAL: http://www.wralsportsfan.com/unc/story/8274670/

    when the faculty becomes embarrassed as did that of NCSU before and during the Valvano investigation, heads roll. i have felt for a while that Davis would be fired, and i still feel that way. further, the UNC faculty may lead to moves which will do to UNC football what such moves did to NCSU men’s basketball.

  25. GAWolf 09/11/2010 at 8:02 AM #

    ^ I agree. The potential bifurcation of the University’s powers that be into Geeks v. Jocks never seems to end well for the Jocks historically speaking. And in reality, it shouldn’t. They *should* coexist and cross-polinate their successes in support and betterment of the other, but as soon as they become two kids bickering in a sandbox the Geeks usually take their shovels and go home. We simply cannot forget the all-important fact that the primary purpose of the University is education and therefore the Geeks undoubtedly own the shovel.

    This…this…is where the first real hints of inevitable disaster begin for the UNC athletic department. Keep in mind our castration in post-V was self-inflicted in an effort to “save the value of the degree” as one UNC faculty is quoted as saying on WRAL and since he believes that can be done if this is handled appropriately then it seems to me one could read into this that he whichever faculty faction he represents is out for blood.

    Some sphincters should pucker in and around Baddour’s office at hearing this.

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