CHAPEL HILL - UNC system president Tom Ross and UNC Board of Governors chair Hannah Gage this morning issued a joint statement proclaiming the board's full support of chancellor Holden Thorp's leadership at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Many fans have voiced criticism of Thorp for firing football coach Butch Davis with the Tar Heels facing NCAA allegations of nine major violations. Fans have been upset with Thorp for firing Davis even though he wasn't personally cited in the violations, and for the timing of the dismissal nine days before the start of preseason camp.
"We are well aware that there are some alumni and other friends of UNC-Chapel Hill who strongly support the decision to make a coaching change, some who vehemently oppose it, and others who support the decision, but not its timing," the statement read. "We also know that making difficult and unpopular decisions comes with the job of being a university chancellor, and that Chancellor Thorp is committed to doing everything possible to maintain both academic integrity and athletic success at Carolina."
During a news conference following the end of the Board of Governors' regularly scheduled meeting this morning, Ross said it's important to look at the full body of Thorp's work when evaluating his performance.
"I think if you look at the overall responsibilities of a chancellor and consider all of those, he has done an extremely good job," Ross said. "I know there are a lot of people who disagree with this decision and there are a lot who support this decision. The board looks at the broader picture and supports his leadership."
Thorp spoke to reporters following Thursday's Board of Governors committee meetings; a UNC spokesman said he won't be available for interviews today. On Thursday, Thorp said he intends to continue leading UNC and said the Board of Governors has been "great" as the school has dealt with the NCAA investigation.
Comments
Vote of Confidence
Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:13 — terrylacyAhhh, the infamous vote of confidence. I do not have a dog in this fight, but seems that Thorpe might be quietly returning to academia soon. By the way, doesn't the legislature really run UNC ?
I should know better
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 23:16 — UNC1998than to comment on anything that has to do with academics. Lesson learned... thanks to you all.
He had to do this
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 22:03 — InspectorPittDr. Ross had to support Thorp ....
it was his email that tipped the boat ........ I'd guarantee ... if minds could be read. But, in the absence of mind reading ... it was the email, of which has been posted by the N&O as evidence.
Of Course They Do
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 14:17 — RodwellUNC 1998 is spot on! They are trying to neatly sum up the storyline, academic integrity was soiled by the head football coach, not the faculty. But some of us know spin when we see it, hypocrits!
This sounds like the BD
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 13:17 — johngThis sounds like the BD story. I'm behind you all the way according to Holden. Can't wait for the BOG to realize their mistake. Just hope it doesn't take them a year.
Publicly
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 13:05 — HeelsforeverPublicly Butch had Holden's full support right up until the day he fired him. As I've alluded to here before; it won't matter how much they support Holden if the cash starts drying up.
You can't have NINE major
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 12:46 — awdracerYou can't have NINE major infractions levied against your program and an innocent head coach.
How many of you UNC-CHeat fans feel that Jim Valvano was a "crook". The NCAA investigator wrote Jim a letter telling him that he would be proud for his son to play for him. NCSU was found guilty of ONE major infraction. I doubt the NCAA feels the same about BMFD.
Nor can you .....
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 22:11 — InspectorPitt...have a plagiarised paper that received an "A" and not hold the professor publicly responsible and investigate the incident in the event there's a pattern.
Instead, we have a Chancellor who not only allows every grade at the UNC to be questioned but fails to see a need to investigate. He would much rather make the student-led Honor Court the scapegoats ... or better yet, call out Butch Davis' son as an excuse for the firing.
If this newspaper doesn't push this issue then, they too, are complicit with allowing a professor to give an "A" for fraudelent work without every a question.
Good
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 12:46 — FlowerpowerFinally, leaders with some spine. Usually, if there is any complaint, justified or otherwise, the wussy managers just feed you to the sharks. I had a manager like that--alcoholic woman boss--who wanted to be popular with the guys and had no concept of supporting her underlings.
Of course they do:
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 11:52 — UNC1998That's why Davis was dismissed when he was. They can spin it how they want to, but Thorp needed the BOT and BOG's support to follow through with his ultimate wish: fire the one person who did nothing wrong. That's another discussion for some other time, though.
You Speak the TRUTH!
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 14:19 — RodwellYou too recognize bull when you see it.
Huh?
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 13:56 — observerreaderFire the one person who did nothing wrong -- hahaha -- what planet have you been living on?? Butch Davis was the head of a cheating football team!
alternate universe
Sat, 08/13/2011 - 10:17 — SurferObviously a different planet that you have been living on (not earth). The whole football team did not "cheat", as you say, only a few made poor decisions. The guys that took the field last year and did things the right way are to be commended, not grouped in with the few who did not. Of course it is understandable that you fail to see that, being that you are so far away, that is.
He keeps circling the bell
Sun, 08/14/2011 - 09:16 — unc098He keeps circling the bell tower. I tried to coax him down with a blue Slushy but he is not taking the bait.
I know, right! Everybody
Sun, 08/14/2011 - 12:35 — mad_maxI know, right! Everybody knows that Butch is the only person who did nothing wrong!
All of you have completely lost it.
incorrect
Tue, 08/16/2011 - 11:54 — SurferNo, there were actually lots of people (players), the majority actually, who did nothing wrong.
Only a few?!? Give it up,
Sat, 08/13/2011 - 18:27 — mad_maxOnly a few?!?
Give it up, Surfer...IIRC, 14 players missed at least one game, and 7 players were ruled permanently ineligible. The Associate Head Coach was acting as an agent, Butch personally hired one of the tutors that cheated after she was dismissed from UNC's tutoring program, and at least one player committed blantant plagiarism and got away with it. I could go on and on with more, and you know that.
I don't care what planet you are on...you need to get your head out of the sand; football season is almost here!
Correct
Tue, 08/16/2011 - 11:52 — SurferLike I said, only a few, not "the whole team".
YIKES!
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 12:28 — AgentPierce"... fire the one person who did nothing wrong."
Please--grammar
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 12:47 — Flowerpower"Its" is a pronoun, not a contraction--in this context.
DUMB A--!!!
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 16:23 — bluecat69bluecat69THIS IS FOOT BALL, NOT ENGLISH 101 U A--HOLE GET THE HE-- OFF OF THIS SITE AND DONT COME BACK!!!!
academics/sports
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 18:01 — FlowerpowerI think the whole point of this NCAA ruling was that sports CANNOT supplant academics; that is, you must succeed at English if you want to play FOOTBALL. And, football is one word. I recommend you study your English, young man.
rude
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 17:45 — FlowerpowerIt's "don't", not "dont", and you never say "off OF". Just say "OFF". You illiterate, or something, as well as RUDE?
Bluenat is just a figment of
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 17:55 — unc098Bluenat is just a figment of the imagination
It's Not AP's Fault
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 16:09 — stateofmindAP might have been too busy complaining about the grammar used by other posters.
However, maybe AP could not find his African American studies tutor to proof his post.
The tutor was too busy looking for a parking place because Greg Little took the last 5 spots!
my very angry little friend !
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 22:39 — AgentPierceAlways a pleasure to hear from the very very angry little stateof. How's that bile flow working today, stateof? Are you angrier today than you were yesterday but not as angry as you will be tomorrow?
It's all a GIANT conspiracy stateof. Everyone is conspiring against YOU. Your family, your neighbors, The N&O, The UNC BOG and BOT, me .... everyone against YOU ....