Recruits Watch UNC Coaching Situation Closely

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Recruits Watch UNC Coaching Situation Closely

Oct 29, 2006

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A week after the University of North Carolina fired football coach John Bunting, members of a highly regarded recruiting class are considering their options.

Only one member of a recruiting class many analysts have ranked in Top 20 nationally has withdrawn his verbal commitment to the Tar Heels. But others are following the situation closely.

"It was quite a bit of a surprise," Greg Little, a wide receiver at Hillside High School in Durham, said of Bunting's dismissal.

Little, one of the most sought-after players in North Carolina, has narrowed his college choices to UNC and Notre Dame.

"The week before, I was over talking to the athletic director, Dick Baddour, and he was basically saying John Bunting was his guy and he was going to be around for a while," Little said. "The following week, to see him dismissed was pretty surprising."

Little's teammate, defensive back John Smith, has already committed to the Tar Heels, and he said the coaching change won't change his decision.

"I'm still 100 percent behind Carolina," Smith said. "I think, with the athletes we have and the caliber of athletes that they're recruiting, we can do a lot of great things."