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Search Begins for Durant Successor

After North Carolina quarterback Darian Durant confirmed rumors Monday that he would be leaving UNC, Coach John Bunting and his staff are looking for a starting-quarterback candidate to emerge before the team's Aug. 31 opener against Miami (Ohio).

With spring practice on the horizon and with Durant leaving school at the end of the spring semester, UNC now is forced to look at three, or possibly four, candidates for the starting job.

"Am I concerned about this?" Bunting asked. "You're doggone right. But once again, I'm not going to dwell on it. It's not my personality. I'm going to go on. I'm excited about the players who are here."

Problem is, the players UNC has have minimal experience. Sophomore transfer C.J. Stephens took one snap while at Florida, and redshirt freshmen Matt Baker and Terrance Highsmith have never taken a snap.

"Obviously, the coaches have mentioned that with Darian gone, people are going to have to step up," Baker said.

Bunting said that none of the three QBs has an advantage going into spring practice and that each will be given equal opportunity to win the job.

"I liked Matt Baker coming in, and I still do," he said. "I think C.J. has got great potential. ... I'd say it's 50-50. I'd say they're similar. Very similar."

Stephens said he's eager to start spring practice and said he's ready to find out who's the best man for the job.

"The great thing about spring practice is that there are no depth charts," he said. "We all go out and play on a level field, and the coaches choose who they think is the one best suited to lead the team."

The odd man out in the scenario could be the only one with any college experience: Aaron Leak, who played in two games in 2001 and would be a sophomore next fall.

Leak's status with the team is in jeopardy following an arrest last fall for allegedly stealing a car. He was suspended indefinitely from the team, and Bunting said Leak would have to greatly impress him to be reinstated.

"Obviously were waiting for the conclusion of his case," Bunting said. "I've already met with him once, and I'll be meeting again with him soon to talk about what kind of personal behavior modification that I'm going to see necessary for him to come back."

Tar Heels Hire DBs Coach

UNC also announced Monday the hiring of former Sacred Heart coach Jim Fleming as defensive backs coach.

Fleming, the 2000 and 2001 Northeast Conference Coach of the Year, led the Pioneers to a win against Duquesne in the 2001 ECAC Bowl.

Fleming replaces former defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach John Tenuta, who left UNC in January to take a similar position at Georgia Tech.

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.

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