CHAPEL HILL — After turning a 4-8 finish his first season at North Carolina into and 8-4 team this year, coach Butch Davis said "I think we're definitely on track" in the rebuilding process.
"Whether we're ahead of schedule? Maybe slightly,'' he added.
The Tar Heels will play West Virginia in the Meineke Bowl on Dec. 27, their first postseason game since 2004. This also marks their first winning season since 2001.
But Davis said it's hard to compare his first two years at Carolina to his first two seasons as head coach in Miami in 1995 and 1996, because back then he took over a team that would eventually undergo NCAA sanctions because of infractions under former coach Dennis Erickson.
"What you inherited at one place was so different from what you inherited at the other,'' Davis said. "But by the same token, the other program at Miami, we were going through losing 31 scholarships. And we didn't actually crater out and hit bottom until probably 1997, and that was the year we were 5-6 and didn't go to a bowl game, and the number of scholarship players was in the high 50s. So you almost almost have to look at it ... like 97 was like 2007 — that was Year One and go from there."
Using that comparison: the Hurricanes finished 5-6 in '97, then 9-3 in '98 with a trip to the Micron PC Bowl.
That was a notable resurgence, but the one at Carolina this year also stood out, Davis said, because the Tar Heels had to overcome so much adversity.
"I can't remember a year where guys in those key of roles missed that significant of amount of time,'' he said, referring to quarterback T.J. Yates, wide receiver Brandon Tate and tight end Zack Pianalto, among others.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
Butch Davis
Mon, 12/29/2008 - 12:13 — mlbCam Sexton put the Heels in position to go to a bowl and never set foot on the field. It was only fitting for UNC to lose to West Virginia and for Yates to throw the interception that iced the game for the Mountaineers. There is justice in the world.
Not mutually exclusive
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 13:51 — JPDOhioIf both Butch Davis and Tom O'Brien stay where they are, I doubt you will see domination by either team over the other. Both are outstanding coaches who know how to build a program. I see many exciting contests to come.
As always, the key to success will be the O-Line and the D-Line. Russell Wilson received a lot of well-deserved credit for the Pack's finish, but the improvement in the offensive line as the season went on was a major factor too.
Fester hit the nail on the head with UNC on this issue. Skill players are great and get the glory, but the QB needs time to throw and the running backs need holes to run through.
good point
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 17:33 — gvillegatrand hard to argue.
Back on Topic
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 13:22 — willncsu34I have heard that BD has really dropped the ball with O-line recruiting. Without a good line do not count on 10 wins with the defenses in this league. Other than that it looks like he has been killing it on the recruiting trails. But, you cannot win big just by having superior talent anymore. Look at Miami/FSU/Clemson. Or WF for the opposite.
I'll say this .....
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 10:56 — UNC1998In a way the bowl game is the first game of next year. If UNC can win it will go a long way to taking the next step in the program.
get owned??
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 10:37 — gvillegatrwhat r u talking about?? unlike NCSU fans, I was over the loss to you fools a loooong time ago! I'm not 12 yrs old again where I sulk all year long over a bad loss to an inferior team.
so, i'll never get "owned" as you so eloquintly (msp?) put it.
and when i speak, I speak the truth anyways!! you just cant accept it.
"since when did 6-6 become
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 01:21 — hdog007"since when did 6-6 become "dominant?" think before you speak. "
think before you get OWNED. Ignorance is bliss at the University of No Class.
It will be another dominant
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 23:37 — Z1234567It will be another dominant year for pack in 2009. R. Wilson still has 3 years left for Pack. TOB will be 3-0 against Bucthie next year.
Um, when was the first one?
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 13:02 — SurferUm, when was the first one? Oh yeah, 41-10. But still 6-6. Maybe you should have said, "it will be another dominant day for the pack in 2009". And last I checked, unless they meet in the ACC championship, UNC and state only play once next year. Perhaps you are referring to the score in the first quarter?
uh...no
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 09:41 — WNCMikeGuess if you want to throw out Butch's mastery at Miami of tob's bc club its ok. tob was 0-4 vs butch at the u. But don't let the real numbers get in your way.
It will be another dominant
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 00:24 — gvillegatrpain in the ass for the fans of NCSU.
since when did 6-6 become "dominant?" think before you speak.
6-6 = dominant? since when?
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 23:51 — JPMajorI don't really consider 6-6 a dominant year. And i already know your going to bring up the 41-10 B.S. and yes i know. NC State dominated UNC but as for the season? not so much.
It's true...
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 23:21 — UNC1998improved offensive line play will make the offense much better. It will allow for more plays to be called, such as deeper WR patterns. Defensively, the coaches did their best to cover up weaknesses. I'm excited for the future, as it's potentially very bright. 10 wins can become the norm, with the occasional 11 to 12 win year. If the later happens, I'll be doing back flips off of my house (not really).
Still Needs Oline and defensive depth
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 17:37 — festerPlay calling was what it was do to lack of Oline. UNC will be a 10 win team once Butch get's his style player in C-Hill. He had some good skill position players but lacked the experience and depth on defense. The heels were forced to play to much zone cover for lack of strength and speed overall defensively. their were some outstanding players on the defensive side of the ball, don't get me wrong but there was too few of them and the CB positions were suspect, hopefully for lack of experience. The O-line was the most glaring weakness on the team and UNC was never able to get the passing or running game going consistantly. From the looks of focus on O-line in recruiting, I expect that to become a strength in a few years. The Heels are on schedule and the future is even brighter. Once Butch has the overall depth, strength and speed needed to play Butch's true style. Once a guy like TJ Yates actually has time to make plays the offense will open up big time and better play calling will follow.
I agree with you, but...
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 10:53 — JamesinWillowSpringsI don't see where Butch supposedly has "focused on O-line recruiting."
In two year, I count that he's landed one offensive lineman and has commitments from only two more. Three O linemen in two year's worth of recruiting doesn't sound like he's "focusing" on it:
http://northcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=78&p=9&c=16&yr=2008
He's sure loaded up on WR, though! Just hope his line can give Yates enough time to throw to them!
mixed
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 14:52 — gvillegatrbetter play calling (offense and defense) would have made this team 10-2 at worse, 11-1 at best.
next year the Heels will be even better than the 8 wins this year! look out!!
10 or bust should be the slogan.
"10 or bust should be the slogan".....
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 16:01 — corkeyThu, 12/18/2008 - 13:52 — gvillegatr "10 or bust should be the slogan".....
What does a helium balloon sound like as it busts....or explodes?
Agree somewhat
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 15:02 — SurferI agree the outcome could have been better and to a certain extent with better play calling, as you say. But, I would have to say that the "falling off" was due more to losing Tate and Yates (yes he played in the State game, but not like he would of had he not been injured) and the lack of execution.