After a summer full of controversy, North Carolina football finally returns to the field

Just within range of the cranes and backhoes renovating Kenan Stadium, North Carolina’s football team is in the midst of a rehaul of its own. UNC’s coaches and players are hoping to finish building an ACC Championship-level football team, even with the cloud of an NCAA investigation looming over training camp.

Baddour sheds light on NCAA investigation

UNC athletic director Dick Baddour and head football coach Butch Davis addressed the media together on Thursday for the first time since news of the NCAA investigation into the football program broke nearly a month ago. Baddour, who has previously proclaimed himself as spokesman for the University during the investigation, said the University has not hidden from questions regarding the NCAA inquiry.

Davis speaks on NCAA investigation

In his first meeting with the press since news of an NCAA investigation into his North Carolina football program broke last Thursday, head coach Butch Davis did not go into the particulars of the investigation but did offer his thoughts on the situation in general. Davis was among five area college football coaches at the Pigskin Preview, a fundraiser for the Triangle chapter of the National Football Foundation, at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham.

Four possible scenarios facing UNC football

With the NCAA investigation of North Carolina football underway, the University and the program have decisions to make. At least two rising senior football players had improper involvement with sports agents, according to multiple news outlets. The involvement could stretch to players making improper deals with the agents while still juniors in college. There are four possible scenarios that might play out with this investigation, which is being led by the NCAA’s director of agent, gambling and amateurism activities alongside three investigators.

Reports: NCAA investigating improper contact with agents

The North Carolina football team is under investigation by the NCAA to determine whether at least two rising seniors had improper involvement with sports agents, according to multiple reports by news outlets including ESPN and the (Raleigh) News & Observer. The reports state that the association is interested in football players who might have made improper deals with agents during their junior year, which would be in violation of NCAA rules.

Rams Club faces state budget cuts

A month after UNC’s Board of Trustees approved the booster club’s $70 million expansion of Kenan Stadium, the recent legislation cut in-state funding for out-of-state scholarship student-athletes at all 16 UNC-system universities, with UNC bearing the brunt of these cuts.

Kenan now an ACC contender

Legend has it that Frank Kenan said in the early 1930s that Kenan Stadium could never rise above the pine trees surrounding it. The unwritten rule has put a stranglehold on expansion over the years. But the Rams Club finally has the plans — and the money — to do it.

UNC defensive linemen selected in NFL Draft

North Carolina defensive linemen E.J. Wilson and Cam Thomas have spent their entire football careers playing on the East Coast.But thanks to the decisions of a pair of NFL franchises this weekend at the league’s annual draft, the two Tar Heel linemen are headed west.

Three freshmen shine in spring game

Mywan Jackson had it all planned out.For his mother Terrie Green’s birthday on Saturday, he was going to give her two interceptions as his present.He started the day by collecting a tipped pass off of the fingertips of Todd Harrelson, then out-jumped Harrelson for a second pick, this time in the end zone — and his goal was attained.

UNC seniors' NFL skills tested at Pro Day

Tuesday morning seemed a lot like spring practice for a group of 14 former North Carolina football players.A familiar army of orange cones were scattered across Navy Field, mandatory sprints were the norm and a chilling wind reminded them winter was just barely in the rearview mirror.

Bryn Renner splits time between football, baseball teams

As designated hitter Bryn Renner approached the batter’s box in his first collegiate at-bat, the crowd at Boshamer Stadium rose to their feet.Most cheered for North Carolina to finally get on the board in the seventh inning of the Saturday afternoon game with the freshman’s bat. UNC quarterback T.J. Yates and offensive coordinator John Shoop rose to encourage their teammate.

UNC football practice kicks off

Wide smiles, hearty laughs and soaring chest bumps could be seen across Henry Stadium on Monday afternoon.It marked the first day of spring football for North Carolina, and the players were thrilled just to be back in uniform — even if it was only in helmets and gym shorts.

Butch Davis signs 21 recruits

Butch Davis called the recruiting class of 2010 a prototype for the future of his program at North Carolina.“This is somewhat typical of what a recruiting class in future years would look like,” Davis said. “The first couple years you have to recruit on need. … In this particular class we signed someone at every position except quarterback.”

UNC spends to build up football franchise

Marvin Austin writhed in the thrill of victory as he stomped off the field at Kenan Stadium, convulsing with the emotion of North Carolina’s 33-24 win against Miami last November.His dreadlocks snapped at the air, flicking drops of sweat toward the crowd pounding at the tunnel into the locker rooms. Spit flew as he howled at the bright lights, the TV cameras, the 58,000 fans.

Draft-ready juniors return

A quintet of juniors from North Carolina’s highly ranked defensive unit announced they will return to Chapel Hill for their senior seasons in the week following the team’s 19-17 loss to Pittsburgh in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Draft-eligible defenders will return for senior football season

North Carolina will return most of its defense for yet another year.Juniors Marvin Austin, Kendric Burney, and Bruce Carter have all announced they will return for their senior seasons on their respective Twitter accounts. And according to a report by ESPN.com's Joe Schad, UNC linebacker Quan Sturdivant and safety Deunta Williams will return for their senior seasons.

Tar Heels fall in Car Care Bowl

CHARLOTTE — Charles Brown and Quan Sturdivant remained on their knees, as if rising would somehow make it more real.Maybe if they didn't have to get up, they wouldn't have to face the offsides penalty that North Carolina incurred with 1:55 to play, giving Pittsburgh a fresh set of downs, and ultimately the win in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, 19-17.

Lewis leads Panthers past Tar Heels

CHARLOTTE – Nearly three minutes into Dave Wannstedt’s postgame press conference, Pittsburgh running back Dion Lewis tried to sneak in the side door unnoticed.

Pittsburgh running back leads Panthers to win

North Carolina falls to Pitt in Car Care Bowl

CHARLOTTE — Andrew Janocko waited just long enough to give Pittsburgh a bowl win.Facing fourth and two with les than three minutes to play, the Panthers' sophomore holder knew that the goal posts 47 yards away were a tall order for kicker Dan Hutchins. He also knew that North Carolina would be coming hard for a block.