North Carolina football coach Butch Davis talked briefly about associate head coach John Blake but deflected questions about the NCAA's investigation into the Tar Heels football program at UNC's media day today.
Davis declined to talk about Blake's possible role in the investigation or Blake's relationship with agent Gary Wichard, who told The N&O that Blake is involved in the NCAA probe.
"I'm not talking about any of the things that have anything to do with [the NCAA] review," Davis said.
Blake and senior players Marvin Austin and Greg Little are the focus of the NCAA investigation into the program which became public on July 15. The NCAA interviewed Austin and Little about potentially receiving improper benefits from an agent.
Austin and Little, two of the team's best players, have been practicing with the second-team while their eligibility status is being evaluated by the NCAA.
Davis answered one question about Blake and then declined further comment about his recruiting coordinator.
Davis said he hired Blake in Dec. 2006 because "he was a very good teacher, a good defensive line coach."
Asked if there was any question or concern about Blake's relationship with Wichard, an NFL agent who represents former UNC defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer, Davis said: "No."
Davis then added, "I'm not talking about any of the things that have anything to do with this review."
Here's a transcript of the questions about Blake and Davis' response from today's press conference:
Q: What was the primary reason that you hired John Blake?
Davis: "He was a very good teacher, a good defensive line coach."
Q: Was there any question in your mind about his relationship with Gary Wichard? Any concern?
Davis: "Any question in my mind? No. ... I'm not talking about any of the things that have anything to do with this review."
Q: Just to be clear, you're saying that the assistant coach is involved in the review?
Davis: "Just to be clear, I said we're not going to talk about the review."
Q: I didn't ask you about the review, I asked you about a coach.
Davis: "I know you did and I told you that anything that has anything to do with any kind of investigation or any kind of review, we're not going to talk about it. I'd be happy to talk all you want about football."
Comments
Santa Noir
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:12 — twinpiques"He sees you when you're a five-star, he knows what price you'll take, he knows if you prefer cash or trips, so be aware he's on the make..ooooooohhh...youuuuu'd...better watch out youuuuu'd better not cry, you'd better not pout I'm a tellin' you why..."
Sing it with me, Goat Nation!
hahah
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:27 — izzykareemtoo funny man, make some more lines
don't think
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 17:18 — gvillegatrfor a second twin peaks came up with those lines. he stole them off the internet.
Sorry Mr Gheydur....
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 09:26 — twinpiques...but, like David Lynch, I write my own stuff. Thanks for taking time out from sniffing Tebuzz's jock to join us though.
i reaLLY ought to change my name
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 13:15 — gvillegatrI couldn't give a single dump for the Florida Gayturds.
blake
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 15:21 — masonboroQ: Was there any question in your mind about his relationship with Gary Wichard? Any concern?
Davis: "Any question in my mind? No. ... I'm not talking about any of the things that have anything to do with this review."
Q: Just to be clear, you're saying that the assistant coach is involved in the review?
Davis: "Just to be clear, I said we're not going to talk about the review."
Q: I didn't ask you about the review, I asked you about a coach.
Davis: "I know you did and I told you that anything that has anything to do with any kind of investigation or any kind of review, we're not going to talk about it. I'd be happy to talk all you want about football."
Folks are reaching who are trying to say that Butch's response was an inadvertent admission that Blake is under investigation. The investigation is about agents and UNC football players/program. I wouldn't expect him to discuss the relationship between an agent and any member of the football program.
Revision
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:43 — SurferNow the tag line has been revised, it now states:
"North Carolina football coach Butch Davis talked briefly about associate head coach John Blake but deflected questions about the NCAA's investigation into the Tar Heels football program at UNC's media day today."
That seems a bit more accurate. So JP, are you now saying that Blake is not "involved"?
Blake's involved.. Butch
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 22:02 — pat28001Blake's involved.. Butch admitted it, JP knows it... and deep down, you know it too. What's more... most of us have known it for years... just like the the folks at UNC did when they hired the man.
You tell 'em G!
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:24 — swisspfauYou tell 'em G!
Clear as mud
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:20 — SurferOh now I get it, JP writes: "North Carolina football coach Butch Davis confirmed associate head coach John Blake is involved in the NCAA's investigation into the football program at UNC's media day on Thursday."
He says this because coach Davis says that he isn't going to talk about anything associated with the review, a question is asked about Blake and the review and he says that he isn't going to talk about that, as he previously indicated. Therefore, JP assumes that Blake is "involved" in the review.
Why else would Butch cut
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 21:57 — pat28001Why else would Butch cut short discussions about Mr. Blake citing the investigation as his reason for doing so other than the investigation includes Mr. Blake?
Kudos to Giglio for ferreting out this nugget of information.. it's what real reporters used to do back in the day before just parroting press releases from SID's offices.
The real question is: Why did the headline change? Who is strong-arming the N&O into more favorable coverage? It's shameful.
Sympathy for you JP
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:18 — PuddentainThe crap you've gotten for doing your master's bidding over the years is nothing like the wrath of tarheel fans scorned.
Yes, beware. You might get
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:20 — TDiddytYes, beware. You might get a cheese smudge on your shirt or boy lipstick on your collar. Watch out.
http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/page/tarheel-22544.jpg
where is the
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 08:52 — gvillegatrsports talk and non hate in this post? it is ok, llittle brother. afterall, it is the road most traveled here at ACCNow.
I'm wondering
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:14 — Heels20Why you have yet to report that Yates and Renner are alternating snaps with first team. Do you do Sports Writing or Drama Analysis?
This is a blog entry. Full
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:17 — TDiddytThis is a blog entry. Full articles take longer to put together, edit, review, and publish. I'm sure you'll be able to read about your boys soon enough.
Do you not understand the difference, or are your bunched up panties causing you to get a bit snippy?
Watching the meltdown is becoming quite entertaining.
Meltdown?
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:20 — Heels20I'm just confused as to why our sports writers suddenly stopped covering sports. It doesn't take an entire article to say that Yates and Renner are alternating snaps with 1st team, ESPECIALLY when that has been news since the beginning of summer practice (last Friday). "Figured I'd let you know that since you seem so uninformed."
Great logic Joe
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:08 — matt_uncQ: Just to be clear, you're saying that the assistant coach is involved in the review?
.....
Q: I didn't ask you about the review, I asked you about a coach.
So you ask about Blake being part of the review and then claim you never asked about the review. A 5 year old could understand that your question pertained to the NCAA review. Way to use your powers of common sense there Giglio.
A 5-year old can also
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 22:00 — pat28001A 5-year old can also understand that by refusing to answer, Davis confirmed that Blake was a subject of the investigation. But some here (and apparently some above Mr. Giglio at the N&O) must not have the cognitive abilities of that 5-year old.
Blake's "involvement"
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:07 — SurferCould be some misleading here. It is stated that Blake is involved because "agent Gary Wichard, told The N&O that Blake is involved in the NCAA probe." Duh, of course he is "involved", he is a UNC coach. Everybody on staff is "involved" with this issue. From the compliance staff to the waterboys.
Also, I wonder who the idiot was asking these questions?:
"Q: Just to be clear, you're saying that the assistant coach is involved in the review?
Davis: "Just to be clear, I said we're not going to talk about the review."
Q: I didn't ask you about the review, I asked you about a coach."
Uh, hello? They did ask about the review and the coach, see previous question.
Just a tip...
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 08:30 — thesportsidiotIf you are going to make statements like "see previous question" then you should probably do the same. The first question did not mention the review or the investigation, it asked about Blake's relationship with Wichard.
Carry on
Agree
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 10:57 — SurferI was not referring to the first question, I was referring to the following question:
"Q: Just to be clear, you're saying that the assistant coach is involved in the review?"
Well played sir
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:03 — SartorialSplendorWell played Mr. Giglio! I believe this interview is an example of why UNC has placed a gag order on everyone associated with this stinking mess.
Chief Davis
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 13:59 — rod1972sounds like he needs a comforting pat on the back.
Wow, it looks like ol'
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 13:57 — mad_maxWow, it looks like ol' Butchie was getting a little aggravated there! Lol at whoever was asking those questions. Was it you, JP?
Just questions
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 15:14 — jpg (author)Yes, those are my questions and no, neither side was feisty or testy, irritated on Butch's part, but no outward anger.
Strange press conference because there was actual news about the quarterback and Austin/Little but it skipped around a lot of topics and then would go back to another.
Either way, will have a post on the QBs shortly.
— JPG
Thanks JP. By the way, I'm
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 20:47 — mad_maxThanks JP. By the way, I'm not criticizing, I just found it amusing.
JP
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 19:22 — heelsno1...you are the new Geraldo. Next, you will questioning whether the treasure trove of Al Capone is buried beneath the lower deck of Kenan Stadium! Or...under the Bell Tower? Or...under the Old Well? Good luck, Geraldo, we are all counting on you to dig out the truth with your unrivaled abilities. You and Toots deserve each other!
And you scooped wral again.
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 13:56 — PuddentainWith all of this hard hitting reporting on UNC, are you sure you aren't going rogue on your employers?
Sounds like you were fiesty
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 13:54 — Puddentainduring the interview, JP
Show some respect...
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 21:55 — heelsno1JPG is the new Geraldo!
Giglio, this isn't All the
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 13:58 — MarillionGiglio, this isn'tAll the President's Men , and you're not good enough to play this game. You should punch your weight and stick to stories about soul patch care and church pie sales. Or maybe even pursue the story of the rabid chinchilla somebody sculpted and placed in the tunnel at Carter-Finley stadium.
You're right
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 15:16 — jpg (author)This is not presidential politics, it's college football. What was your first clue, Woodward?
— JPG
Why then...
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 21:47 — heelsno1...was your first article written about the NCAA probe rather than the QB situation at UNC? Geraldo, your investigative journalism is as weak as it comes. Stick to the game...in that context, at least you have facts rather than conjecture.
Give Toots a big hug! I am sure that he is beaming with pride and approval.
Good to *finally* hear
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 13:50 — keihinIt's good to finally hear some kind of response from the UNC athletic staff. This thing has been going on for days and we've had nothing but utter silence from those in charge of the program. Coach Davis' remarks still constitute stonewalling, but at least it's some sort of acknowledgement. This is a public matter, at a public university, and state laws may have been broken. The university needs to stand up and do what's right. A good first step in that direction would be to come clean with the details of what's occured so far, and what actions they plan to take.
Some perspective.
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 15:43 — JPDOhioThis is an ongoing investigation. If you say nothing, you can't put your foot in your mouth. If you say anything, it opens up the door for more questions and more evasive answers, making things worse.
You answer questions and make statements when you are legally compelled to do so. I have no problem with JP asking the questions (it is his job) and Butch refusing to answer. Butch and UNC gain nothing by making premature statements. Leave that to the blogosphere.
Once the investigation is over and the results are known, then you can take any necessary action and announce it to the public.