NCAA FB

Ex-UNC coach Davis defends himself

Share This Story

Updated Nov 15, 2011 7:40 PM ET
     
 

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP)

Former North Carolina coach Butch Davis has posted a video on YouTube defending himself from allegations following an NCAA investigation into the UNC football program, saying he is ''absolutely committed to a clean program.''

In the 9 1/2-minute clip, Davis says his philosophy has always been to succeed academically and on the field.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2011

''Those who have implied my ethics were different at the University of North Carolina couldn't be more wrong,'' Davis said.

He said he didn't know about ex-assistant John Blake's close friendship with an NFL agent, a focus of the NCAA probe into improper benefits and academic misconduct.

''Did I know he had such a close relationship with a sports agent? No,'' Davis said. ''''Should I have known? I wish I had known. As the head coach, you want to know every single thing. ... But logically, you know you simply can't know everything.''

Davis said he submitted Blake's name to the university for school officials to run a background check. He said there were no red flags, though the NCAA has charged Blake with trying to steer players to late agent Gary Wichard and accepting loans from Wichard.

Davis, who pointed out he hasn't been charged with wrongdoing, said his family wanted to make UNC ''our last coaching stop and home forever.''

Davis had kept a low profile since being fired just before training camp. He said he decided to comment publicly because the school's appearance before the NCAA infractions committee has passed and that he has received ''thousands'' of messages of support. He also sent an editorial to The News & Observer of Raleigh with similar comments.

The son of two teachers and a former high school biology teacher himself, Davis pointed out that the American Football Coaches Association has recognized his teams for academic success in nine of his 10 seasons as a head coach.


Get the latest college football recruiting news from Scout.com.

''After keeping quiet for 14 months, I'm sure there were a whole lot of things that he's just been dying to say,'' said Jonathan D. Sasser, a Raleigh attorney representing Davis. ''He's particularly concerned about people that say he was really not that interested in academic performance. And based on his family history, that's simply not the case.''

Nancy Davis, a UNC spokeswoman, declined to comment on the video.

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
FOX Fantasy Football


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA FB Videos

Horrow: CFB Business Report Posted: May 13, 2013
Rick Horrow has the latest college football business news, including a TV deal b...

Horrow: College Football Business Report Posted: Mar 04, 2013
Rick Horrow has the latest college football business news, including Johnny Foot...

Horrow: NCAA Business Report Posted: Feb 25, 2013
FOXSports.com's Rick Horrow breaks down Maryland's court case, the Catholic 7, a...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators Gridiron 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - Royal Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/759777/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_759000/ff_759777_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Florida Gators Gridiron 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - Royal Blue
    Nike Michigan State Spartans Football 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Michigan_State_Spartans/browse/featuredproduct/760171/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_760000/ff_760171_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Michigan State Spartans Football 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - White
    Nike USC Trojans Fight On My School T-Shirt - Cardinal http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/761373/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_761000/ff_761373_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike USC Trojans Fight On My School T-Shirt - Cardinal
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/829709/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_829000/ff_829709_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Crimso..
    Nike LSU Tigers Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Purple http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/829740/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_829000/ff_829740_xl.jpg&w=100 49.99 Nike LSU Tigers Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Purple
    Nike Oklahoma Sooners Legacy 91 Dri-FIT Adjustable Coaches Cap - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_Sooners/browse/featuredproduct/830935/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_830000/ff_830935_xl.jpg&w=100 21.95 Nike Oklahoma Sooners Legacy 91 Dri-FIT Adjustable Coaches Cap - Crimson
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hot Sideline Jacket - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/861243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_861000/ff_861243_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hot Sideline Jacket - Navy Blue
    adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers Sideline Hot Quarter Zip Jacket - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/861247/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_861000/ff_861247_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers Sideline Hot Quarter Zip Jacket - Scarlet
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Players Locker Room Snapback Hat - Charcoal/Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/1087345/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1087000/ff_1087345_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Players Locker Room Snapba..
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Ash http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/1093431/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1093000/ff_1093431_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Ash
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft