Letter to the Players

Dear Current Carolina Players,
 
My weekly articles are always supportive and will continue to be until…

Know that this letter comes not only from me but from many of my teammates (2001-2006) and from other letterman I know who have worn that Carolina Blue uniform but don’t have the platform to share their thoughts regarding Saturday’s game.  You are family to us no matter how low the lows and no matter how high the highs.  We will always be a special fraternity, a family, a brotherhood and I’m very proud to be a part of that.
 
Having said that, the lack of effort, enthusiasm and intensity shown in the first half against Louisville was really puzzling and frustrating.  None of Coach Fedora’s three fundamentals — Smart. Fast. Physical – were evident to me.  An ABC-TV game at 3:30 pm is a great platform to show a large viewing audience that we can compete and win against a top 25 team and we did not put our best foot forward.  I’m speaking to you as someone who was in your shoes six short years ago, and I’m begging you not to squander the opportunities in front of you. 

If you’re lucky, you’ll wear Tar Heel blue for four seasons which means 48 games which means 96 halves.  That may sound like a lot but let me assure you, it goes by in the blink of an eye.  And one of those halves — the one that was played three days ago at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium — was a bust.  Playing football at UNC was the best part of my young life, and I view it as a privilege.  Don’t take your privilege for granted.   
 
Now that I have gotten that off my chest, I’m proud as can be of the fight, determination and commitment to each other that I witnessed in the second half from both the players and the staff.  This is the type of experience that you will build on for the rest of the season.  The ability to answer the bell after you’ve been knocked down will serve you well the rest of this season as well as the rest of your Carolina career and, more importantly, your life after football.  You might not know this, but Coach Fedora is molding you not only as a football player but as a future productive member of society. 

The second half comeback will be a moment you will always remember.  From the great performances of young guys like Romar Morris to our new starting Will linebacker Tommy Heffernan, everyone put their effort on the line and whatever Coach Fedora said to you at halftime, it really made a difference.  But understand something, a coach’s halftime speech should not be the magic remedy to get a fire lit under you – getting yourself prepared and focused is your job before you walk in between those lines.  
 

‹

Recruiting Wars

Gio Run” has become a constant chant that builds and builds each Saturday as we anticipate Gio Bernard accelerating through a hole and with one cut, he’s off to the races.  So it wasn’t too surprising when the Hurricanes of Miami saw up close “Run Gio Run.”  Many times.  A monster performance in Gio’s […]

'Go, Romar, Go!'

Let’s discuss what happened in the first half Saturday at the Papa John’s Pizza Palace in Louisville.   Either the Tar Heels were still hung over from their disappointing loss last week at Wake Forest (which by the way got waxed by Florida State 52-0 earlier Saturday) and hurting by not having Gio B. and […]

Inside Carolina: Fedora is Out

After the final Tar Heel football game of the season ended in a loss to NC State, today’s edition of “Inside Carolina” discusses the breaking news that coach Larry Fedora will not be returning next season. From the buyout of his contract to what’s next for the Tar Heels, it’s getting covered here.

Dakota's Notebook: Suspensions for UNC Football

Note: Art Chansky is gone for a few days, so digital content manager Dakota Moyer will be contributing for the Sports Notebook in his absence. Will Carolina football be able to replace the player suspended for Shoe-gate? This is Dakota with Tuesday’s sports notebook. UNC announced on Monday that 13 players would be facing suspension […]

Dakota's Notebook: Can UNC Return to a Bowl Game in 2018?

Note: Art Chansky is gone for a few days, so digital content manager Dakota Moyer will be contributing for the Sports Notebook in his absence. Can UNC football return to a bowl game in 2018? This is Dakota with Thursday’s Sports Notebook. After a disappointing 3-9 2017 season, the Tar Heels have a schedule that […]

Inside Carolina: UNC Football Storylines

With fall camp just around the corner, Inside Carolina examines the latest storylines surrounding the UNC football team. How will the latest NCAA scandal involving players selling shoes impact the 2018 season? Which players will be suspended when the Tar Heels travel to play Cal? Lastly, which quarterback will be under center for game one? […]

Saving Football with Larry Fedora, starring Nicholas Cage

UNC head coach Larry Fedora took center stage at the annual ACC Kickoff event, proclaiming that the game of football was “under attack.” “Oh yes, I fear that the game will get pushed so far to one extreme that you won’t recognize the game 10 years from now,” Fedora said. “That’s what I worry about. […]

Chansky's Notebook: Terrible Timing

What was Larry Fedora thinking? Long-time observers like to joke about the curse of Carolina football that derails a promising program. Bill Dooley left when Virginia Tech offered him the athletic directorship and UNC wouldn’t. Dick Crum was fired for wearing out his welcome. Mack Brown left when Texas gave him the ranch. And we […]

Dakota's Notebook: UNC Ahead of the Curve in College Football

Is “pro-style” a dying breed of offense in football? Luckily, UNC is ahead of the curve in this new era of college football.

UNC Football Signs Talented 2018 Recruiting Class - Defense

Despite a poor year on the field, Larry Fedora and UNC are putting the finishing touches on a talented recruiting class. Part of that success can be attributed to the collection of players that the Tar Heels signed on defense, which will help the team rebound in the 2018 season and build for the future. […]

›