Jul 28, 2011
Chapel Hill, N.C. — University of North Carolina Chancellor Holden Thorp said Thursday that he could no longer support Butch Davis as the head football coach and is willing to pay what ever the cost to make a separation happen.
Thorp said that he believes that Davis was unaware of any improprieties that were going on that led up to the NCAA investigation and the total buyout package could add up to $2.7 million.
“I don’t believe Butch Davis knew about the things that went on,” Thorp said. “This was really about the cumulative effect on the university.”
Thorp said that any money that is paid to coach Davis will come from the athletics department and not the UNC general funds. He indicated that $2.7 million may not be the actual buyout, but is the ceiling that Davis could receive.
According to a release distributed at the press conference, Davis will receive $270,417 immediately. A prorated portion of his retention bonus totaling $13,083 and the rest of the year's supplemental compensation totaling $650,000 are due to him by the end of the year. That adds up to $933,500 in guaranteed money.
So long as Davis does not accept another coaching position, he will be owed $590,000 every Jan. 15 from 2013-15.
At UNC, Davis was in the third year of a seven-year contract that paid him $315,000 in base salary annually with a retention bonus of $157,000 for every year he was to remain employed and an escalating scale of supplemental bonuses that had grown to quarterly payments of $312,500
Thorp told WRAL News Wednesday night that the decision was his alone. "It was my decision, but it certainly wasn't a decision I would make without the Board of Trustees."
The move comes just eight days before the start of practices for the UNC football team and just a few days after Davis attended the media-filled ACC Football Kickoff
“I know that the timing is terrible,” Thorp said. “I have been hopeful for the past year that we can make this right and restore the reputation of this university.”
A replacement for Davis was not immediately announced. Baddour and Thorp will interview three candidates - associate head coach Sam Pittman, defensive coordinator Everett Withers and offensive coordinator John Shoop – Thursday afternoon and make an announcement “in a couple of days.”
One reason for the unconventional timing of the move could be the structure of the Board of Trustees. Board members serve four-year terms that expire on July 1 of odd-numbered years. Several of those who met Wednesday with Thorp behind closed doors were new to the issue.
Afterward, none of them was willing to speak on camera but several issued statements in support of the decision.
Wade H. Hargrove, chair of the Board of Trustees, issued the following statement Thursday:
"Chancellor Thorp discussed his decision concerning the football program with the Board of Trustees yesterday, and the board was fully supportive of that decision. This was not an easy decision for the chancellor, but it was the right decision."
Hannah Gage, chairwoman of the university system Board of Governors said, "It wasn't an easy decision, but I believe it's the right decision. The chancellor made it clear today that he's not willing to compromise the university's academic integrity or its reputation."
Ed McMahan, a member of the Board of Governors, said, "I have tremendous confidence in Chancellor Thorp and believe his decision was the correct one."
Davis and the program had been under a microscope for more than a year while the NCAA investigated allegations that Tar Heel players broke rules related to player-agent relationships and got improper help with their academic responsibilities.
The university fired assistant coach John Blake after the first game of the 2010 season when his link to an agent became apparent. In all, 14 players missed at least one game and seven were forced to sit out the entire 2010 season.
On June 21, the university received the NCAA Notice of Allegations. The formal list of charges against the football program included alleged violations by Blake, former tutor and UNC alumna Jennifer Wiley, players and former players. Notably absent from the list was any specific mention of Davis.
Thorp and Baddour had repeatedly voiced their support for Davis. As recently as Monday, Davis said called that support "reassuring."
Thorp said the decision was not related to any change in the NCAA investigation, but that it was the result of the cumulative damage to the university’s reputation over the past year.
"I have lost confidence in our ability to come through this without harming the way people think of this institution. Our academic integrity is paramount, and we must work diligently to protect it. The only way to move forward and put this behind us is to make a change,” Thorp said in a statement.
Davis maintained his innocence Wednesday in a statement issued after his dismissal.
"I was honestly shocked to receive word that I will no longer be the head football coach at the University of North Carolina," he said. "I can honestly say I leave with full confidence that I have done nothing wrong. I was the head coach and I realize the responsibility that comes with that role. But I was not personally involved in, nor aware of, any actions that prompted the NCAA investigation."
Those who played for Davis quickly made their feelings known.
Quarterback T.J. Yates, who played four years under Davis and is in his rookie year with the NFL Houston Texans, wrote on Twitter, "In shock about Coach Davis, that man put Carolina football back on the map. And to do it right before training camp starts is just wrong."
"It's a sad and angry day in Tar Heel country," wrote Da'Norris Searcy, another four-year Davis player. "I'm gonna miss coach Davis. He gave me the opportunity and was able to learn so much from him."
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Rank: Sports Legend - Posted by jgunn- Posted by Hokie 94You made me laugh at this at this one JGunn. You're right about Baddour too. Loads of people have made some intelligent comments. It's just a shame that Butch will walk with 2.7 million smacks. Like Dr. Friday stated earlier...it's all out of sorts in regard to money for coaches, and programs that generate huge monies. And he stated that it's all across the Country. "Schools are losing intregrity." When Friday speaks, I listen.- Posted by jgunnI knew the minute the news broke that Butch would get a huge payoff.- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns
At Carolina, they pay people that know stuff to keep their mouths shut. It's the Carolina Way.
Seriously, there was never any doubt in my mind he would get paid.
When Thorp said that firing Butch wasn't the result of anything new, but rather a "chipping away" at the reputation of Carolina", I got a bad feeling. It got worse when Thorp came out and said they are firing Butch "without cause". The only "bright" spot is that Dickie is stepping down. But that is a joke as well, because he's going to "help choose" the interim coach. Puhleese. Don't let the door hit your Carolina Blue azz on the way out, Dickless.
Like I stated several have made some enlightened comments. TBK has nailed it with several, and Objective Scientist made valid points. I also liked what tommy brown stated. Why give Butch 2.7 million like this? It just looks so bad, and there is still something hidden behind all of this. Butch runs away a much richer man. Maybe it is hush money as TBK has written. This is way wrong. AND. Butch Davis still doesn't know anything about what was happening in his exit interview.
I like and respect Dr. Bill Friday as well. I remember he stated a while back that college athletics have gotten out of hand, and he is right. I did feel bad about what I said about Baddour after Dr. Friday gave him such a sincere endorsement. I have no doubt that Baddour loves Carolina. He was visibly upset at the presser. That said, I think he did a horrible job as AD with the football program and he does need to step down. I was surprised Roy gave him such a good endorsement as well. I had read that Baddour botched the first attempt to get Roy to come to Carolina.
The saddest part of this is that many good people are suffering as the result of the selfish actions of a few. The Carolina name has been sullied. Dr.Friday is right - athletics have gotten out of hand.
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