UNC Fans Saddened But Hopeful As Bunting Finishes Out Season

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UNC Fans Saddened But Hopeful As Bunting Finishes Out Season

Oct 28, 2006

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Tar Heel football fans were fired up as usual before Saturday's matchup with Wake Forest. But many told WRAL that they feel torn. Their head football coach, John Bunting, is out at the end of the season, but a new beginning for Carolina football is on the way.

"It's really tough to let someone like that go," said UNC alumnus Michael Carson. "He's a great fundraiser. I mean, so many positives. It's just that the product on the field hasn't been good."

Six years after returning to what he called his dream job, Bunting's run in Chapel Hill will soon end.

"I guess our athletic directors know what they're doing, so hopefully it's for the best," said UNC sophomore Sheena Hill. "But we always think about our coaches and we love them too."

And North Carolina fans loved Bunting. He was known as the nice guy – a great coach, a great man, and a great alumnus. Some even said that Bunting got a bad break by the powers that be.

"I think it comes down to a patient fan base and there's not one here, I don't think," said UNC alumnus Jay Hemphill.

But the decision ultimately came down to the numbers. With a 25-42 record and a season that showed no signs of turning around, it was time for a change.

"It doesn't mean you have to win all of them, but you have to win some of them, and unfortunately we haven't been able to do that much lately," said UNC alumnus Russ Conley.

On their first outing since Bunting's dismissal, the Tar Heels played stronger than in past weeks, even jumping out to a 17-14 lead over the Demon Deacons late in the third quarter before falling to Wake Forest 17-24.