Football program should rethink goals

TO THE EDITOR:

My wife and I passed through Chapel Hill in August and picked up an issue of the DTH for its coverage of the football imbroglio.

I know that football performs a useful function for the University. But face it: Carolina has always had mediocre football teams.

We’ve never competed nationally and never will. We were mediocre when I attended UNC (1973-77), and we are mediocre now.

So why do we spend so much money and effort on it?

Why not just admit it and adjust the football program accordingly?

Cut scholarships and emphasize opportunities for walk-ons. Heck, become known as a program focusing on academics where players actually graduate in four years.

Instead, we saw fit to hire former pro coach Butch Davis, who seemed to know absolutely nothing about the conduct of assistant coaches, tutors and players under his tutelage.

Now that Butch has left town, taking his several years of extremely high pay with him, what did he leave behind?

A big black eye for the University that will stand long after his name is forgotten.

“I yam what I yam, and that’s all that I yam,” admitted wise Popeye. I hope the chancellor and Board of Trustees will finally wise up and adopt policies that recognize what UNC is and stop pursuing something it will never be.

We’ll never be known for football. Why not shoot for being known for academic opportunities and excellence, and a football program that plays its proper role in that excellence?

Don DeArmon ‘77