UNC AD Baddour will step down

North Carolina

UNC AD Baddour will step down

By Aaron Schoonmaker

Jul 29, 2011

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Chapel Hill, N.C. — Dick Baddour, who has served as the athletic director for the University of North Carolina for the past 14 years, announced Thursday that he has asked that a search for his replacement begin.

“I’ve given my heart and soul for 45 years to the University of North Carolina,” Baddour said. “It is my responsibility to do what is in the best interest of the program and this is my decision.”

Baddour began his UNC career in 1967 as assistant dean of men and became assistant dean of undergraduate admissions in 1971. He has also served as assistant dean at the UNC School of Law, as the school's director of admissions and scholarship programs, head of personnel and supervisor of career planning and placement.

Baddour was named director of athletics on June 25, 1997, replacing John Swofford. Eight years ago, Baddour was instrumental in bringing in men's basketball coach Roy Williams.

"Dick Baddour is one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. I can’t think of anyone that loves the University of North Carolina more than Dick," Williams said. "Dick was extremely important in my return to UNC eight years ago. I probably would not have come back at that time had he not handled the hiring process the way he did. I will miss working with him a great deal."

Chancellor Holden Thorp said Baddour will serve out the remainder of his contract, through June 2012, and will also attend the NCAA hearing in October with the Committee on Infractions regarding violations within the football program.

“We need Dick with us when we go to Indianapolis,” Thorp said. “There is nobody in the world that I would rather have next to me when we go before the NCAA committee in October than Dick Baddour.”

Baddour’s announcement was one of a handful of decisions that will affect the future of UNC athletics.

On Wednesday, Thorp announced that head football coach Butch Davis had been dismissed just eight days prior to the start of the season.

“This was a very difficult decision compounded by cost and timing,” Thorp said. “Integrity of our football program and reputation of this university have a value beyond any dollar figure.”

Davis’ contract calls for a substantial buyout based on his base salary, years remaining on his current contract as well as retention and supplemental bonuses if he is “terminated without cause.” Thorp said Thursday that Davis will be given a buyout worth as much as $2.7 million.

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.”

“The best way for our football program to move forward is to make a change,” Thorp said. “I considered making changes in the fall and throughout the whole process. I finally got to a point to make them now.”

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RE: UNC AD Baddour will step down

And the walls are crumbling down......!!!!

RE: UNC AD Baddour will step down

"A revolting, dirty little river town on the Tar River." George Washington

RE: UNC AD Baddour will step down

We will miss his repeated mispronunciation of the word program. ("Proogrum")

RE: UNC AD Baddour will step down

If Baddour really is leaving UNHAPPILY, maybe he's another candidate for spilling some beans that Carolina doesn't want "spilt!"

Spill 'em, DB! Spill 'em!

RE: UNC AD Baddour will step down

Baddour didn't get much love for his 45 years.
- Posted by Hokie 94
Unfortunately in the media, no, but he is well respected in Chapel Hill and will now be branded a bit of a martyr IMHO. Collateral Damage.
- Posted by GhostofSmitty

Agreed... Baddour has his "detractors", as virtually every AD does... it is impossible to please everyone in a fan-base of hundreds of thousands or more... and "fat-cat" contributors who are "used to getting their way" with everything. AD is NOT an easy job, "glamorous" perhaps - NOT easy!

Baddour is basically a "really good guy" in so many ways. Has he made mistakes in administering the Carolina athletic program... yes. All past Carolina ADs made mistakes and all future Carolina ADs WILL make mistakes and/or simply do things with which not all will agree. Looking past that, Baddour has a truly long and distinguished "history" with UNC-CH and has indeed had great success and accomplishments. Those who "know" him will focus on those, unfortunately most others will associate the Davis fiasco and the tarnishing of the University's reputation with his "stepping down". Most likely it is/will be viewed, no matter how Baddour himself stated it, as a "forced step down" (BARELY below being fired) and not a graceful retirement after a career of many positive accomplishments. Truly unfortunate in many ways.

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