Teachers became students, the classroom became a practice field and Larry Fedora was the professor.
The North Carolina football coach spoke to a group of about 20 UNC professors after Wednesday’s chilly afternoon practice. Huddled together on the Navy Field bleachers, they asked Fedora to explain what they were seeing: Who’s on this field? Who’s on that field? Why is there music playing?
It was Invite Your Professor to Practice Day — something Fedora does every semester. Professors watch their students practice, tour the Loudermilk Center for Excellence in Kenan Stadium and then join their student athlete for dinner.
“They actually sit down and they actually talk and communicate,” Fedora said. “And the player, the kid, realizes that the professor is a normal person, and the professor finds out the kid is a normal person, too.”
Renner poised to return
Bryn Renner said he practiced with every intention of playing last week. He simply ran out of time.
His injured left foot didn’t allow him to cut the way he needed to, and redshirt sophomore Marquise Williams took over at quarterback in Renner’s stead at Virginia Tech.
Time shouldn’t be an issue leading into UNC’s next game. With a bye week this week, the Tar Heels won’t play until Oct. 17 in a Thursday night bout with Miami.
“I think it’s a huge advantage for me,” Renner said. “Just more opportunity to get in the training room and keep rehabbing it, and it feels a ton better today.”
